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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ben Banks

Motherwell star explains Premiership and League of Ireland difference that's 'not as much as people would think'

It has been a big shift for Motherwell's Ross Tierney moving from Republic of Ireland to Scotland - but the football hasn't been too massive a leap.

The Irish youth international joined the Steelmen in January from Bohemian after displaying his potential in the League of Ireland.

He's impressed in his claret and amber appearances so far and has netted twice in matches with St Mirren and Rangers.

There's been a lot to deal with for Tierney as he moves from a part-time environment to full-time football, but it's one he has relished.

Physically it has been demanding under manager Graham Alexander but the football side of it has come easier for the man from Ballymun.

Making an appearance on the One Up Top podcast during some down time for Motherwell following the end of Premiership season 2021/22, the Irish starlet says League of Ireland standards would perhaps surprise some people.

He said: "My body, it took a couple of weeks to get used to things. But the lads said to me that we are the hardest working team in the league.

"We do a lot of running. I love my running but ours is very hard with the amount we do! The full-time environment, I wouldn't say it's better, but it's easier.

"A step up? Not as much as people would think. You need to take Celtic and Rangers out of it because the Scottish league is 10-team division, essentially.

"Celtic and Rangers are on a different level. But other than them, there aren't many players who would walk into every team in the League of Ireland."

After international duty with Ireland u21s in June, Tierney will return to Motherwell, where they will gear up for Europa Conference League qualifiers following a fifth-placed league finish.

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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