People have doubted him because of his size - but Ross Tierney says he's more than capable of mixing it with bigger players at Motherwell.
The 20-year-old has joined the Steelmen on a long-term deal from League of Ireland side Bohemian. He made an impressive debut during a 2-1 Scottish Cup fourth round win over Morton on Saturday.
He is in line for a Premiership bow against Hibs on Wednesday night as Graham Alexander's side continue to press for European football. They are fourth in the table.
Some have doubted the Irish youngster over the years due to him being small in size and a difficult 2020 on and off the park also provided challenges for Tierney.
He's risen above it all and says 67 senior appearance with Bohs - including European football - has toughened him up as he steps into a full-time arena.
Tierney said: “People were looking but I was always looked at as a small player. I had a couple of injuries and then I had a bad year off the pitch and on the field in 2020, probably like we all did.
"Thankfully I broke into the team and I did well and here I am now. I have had three years playing senior football so coming here wouldn’t be too much of a big step-up in terms of physicality.
“I am obviously small in stature but I am well able to hold big boys off because I have been playing with older lads my whole life, running about with my big brothers and then playing three years senior level with Bohs has helped.
"There is obviously a long way to go physically. It’s been challenging because I am a smaller lad than everyone else.
"I was always the smallest person in the team, but I enjoyed the challenge and it probably made me stand out a little bit more.
"It will help me a lot as the boys here are a lot bigger than me. But I am up for the challenge."
A father of two, Tierney is now settling off the pitch with his young family. He's hoping to settle in ML1 following his first move to the UK, picking up claret and amber appearances along the way.
He added: "I came over in December to have a few sessions with the lads and then I came back over this month.
"My family are now over here which is good. Off the field, you want to go home and wind down, but two kids won't let you! My missus is great with that so I get to come in here and give my all for Motherwell.
"I have had a plan set out that this half season is more about teething for me and settling in and if I get a few minutes here and there I will be happy.
“But it’s more just to get to know the lads and get used to the full-time environment and hopefully next season, you will start seeing a lot more of me.”
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