Gary Neville slams Arsenal player over Euro 2024 error
Gary Neville criticised the Arsenal player (Picture: ITV)
Gary Neville has criticised Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney for ‘getting carried away’ during Scotland’s harrowing Euro 2024 defeat to Germany.
Scotland almost suffered the heaviest Euros defeat of all time as they were thrashed 5-1 by tournament hosts Germany on Friday night.
Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musial, Kai Havertz, Niclas Fullkrug and Emre Can all got on the scoresheet as Germany ripped through the Scots to clinch their biggest ever Euros win.
Scotland’s cause was not helped by Ryan Porteous’ first-half red card, with the Watford defender dismissed and conceding a penalty for clattering into Ilkay Gundogan.
Ex-England and Manchester United defender Neville felt the occasion got to Scotland and accused Tierney of ‘getting carried away’ in the first few minutes by celebrating with Liverpool’s Andy Robertson after winning a goal-kick.
‘They were getting caught up in the first five minutes,’ Neville said on ITV.
‘What I thought was a significant moment in the first couple of minutes in the game was when one of their experienced players, Kieran Tierney, playing for Arsenal Football Club, he celebrated winning a goal kick like it was almost the last minute of the game.
Scotland star Kieran Tierney in action against Germany (Picture: Getty)
‘I just thought, “oh no”. This is a marathon, this match. You have such a long way to go, and this isn’t a moment to try and get carried away.
‘I don’t think that would have helped the more sort of junior players in that squad to settle down.’
Despite a humbling night at the Allianz Arena, Scotland can still qualify for the knockout stages of the Euros ahead of their final two group games against Switzerland and Hungary.
Tierney has made over 100 appearances for Arsenal but appears to have played his last game for the club, with a summer move looking likely.
The 27-year-old, who spent last season on loan at La Liga club Real Sociedad, has admitted his future is probably away from north London.
Asked if he believes he has played his final game for Arsenal, Tierney recently told The Athletic: ‘There is every chance.
‘Look at the squad depth in that position now. They have Zinchenko, Timber, Tomiyasu, Kiwior. Four players can play there.
Euro 2024 hosts Germany thrashed Scotland (Picture: Getty)
‘So if I go back and it’s the same as before then I’m not silly, I know the chances are I’ll be leaving.
‘But you never know in football. You get the rare case with [William] Saliba, where he came back after a couple of good seasons [out on loan] but you don’t see it too often with someone who has played for four years, left, and then come back to play again.
‘Stranger things have happened. I could go back and there is a place for me. So I’m prepared for both.’
Despite falling out of favour at Arsenal, Tierney insists there is no bad blood between him and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.
‘There are no hard feelings or spite from me,’ the Scotland star added. ‘I understand the decision of the manager to change me from No1 to No2. It’s football.
‘It never happened in a personal way. It was tactical. He thought it was best to get Arsenal results — and he was 100 per cent correct, when you look at it. They were close to winning the league last year, and this year I think they’ll do it.’
Scotland continue their Euros campaign on Wednesday night against Switzerland, who clinched an impressive 3-1 win over Hungary on Saturday.
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