Andy Robertson or Kieran Tierney: What does McLeish do?

By Tom Procter

Scotland manager Alex McLeish must choose between Liverpool’s Andy Robertson and Celtic’s Kieran Tierney to play at left-back.

Scotland took on Israel on Thursday night in the UEFA Nations League and lost 2-1 after taking the lead in the game.

Charlie Mulgrew’s 25th minute penalty was supposed to be the stepping stone on which to build.

(Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)

But it wasn’t to be as John Souttar was harshly sent off, after Tierney turned into his own net and Dor Peretz slotted in what turned out to be the winner.

It was a hugely disappointing result considering Israel are 94th in the current FIFA World Rankings.

That’s 45 places behind Scotland.

McLeish has to be bold regarding Robertson and Tierney

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

McLeish has to realise that playing a back three with wing-backs will not work.

(Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)

Robertson and Tierney are both outstanding players, when playing in their normal positions.

Against Israel Tierney was deployed as a left-sided centre-back, with Robertson a left wing-back.

Both players are relatively alien to these roles and it showed in Haifa.

It shows naivity on the part of McLeish to try and field both just because they happen to be arguably the two best players.

(Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)

While he continues to try and make it work with the pair in this system, Scotland will be vulnerable.

Four at the back with traditional wingers could work. But not three centre-backs with Tierney tucked inside.

The manager must wise up and take the bold decision to leave one out for the good of the team. Since Robertson is the captain, perhaps Tierney should play second fiddle, or undergo the learning of a position more suited to his game and operate as a winger.