KIERAN TIERNEY says he was 'gutted' once he realised he would play no part in Scotland's World Cup play-offs in July - but the Arsenal defender insists he has no regrets over giving his all for club and country.
The 24-year-old has not has his injury troubles to seek in his career and was ruled out of international contention for this summer when a knee complaint picked up in April required surgery to heal.
It was the latest injuy setback for a player who has already suffered his fair share but Tierney insists he has never considered easing up in his approach to training and matches.
The versatile defender admitted that national team manager Steve Clarke has asked him to 'chill' on occasion to maintain his fitness - a request that Tierney dubbed 'impossible'.
“I’ve always been like that [wanting to give 100 per cent] since my younger days," he told the Scottish Sun. "I’ve always had a worry of not wanting to cheat team-mates or the team overall.
“Giving everything is just my style and I enjoy it that way.
“Maybe I don’t do myself any favours at times.
“I remember Steve Clarke saying to me one day, ‘Kieran, sometimes you can chill, you know. Don’t worry, everybody already knows what type of player you are and what you can bring’.
“But I told him, ‘I can’t, it’s impossible for me’. Obviously, if I’ve got a niggle then I know I need to be careful.
“In my youth days, or coming through, I had it in my head that I wasn’t the best technically. So I felt I had to work even harder.
“It’s just stuck with me — and I can’t see me changing now. I’d end up feeling guilty if I ever eased up on things.”
