Does Mulgrew’s captaincy hint that Tierney is favoured by McLeish?

Follow us on Google Discover

There has been much discussion over whether Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson or Celtic’s Kieran Tierney would be named Scotland skipper.

Blackburn Rovers skipper Charlie Mulgrew is set to receive one of the highest honours in football, as Alex McLeish confirmed the defender will lead Scotland out against Costa Rica this evening.

The newly appointed Scotland boss described Mulgrew as a natural choice for the captaincy and, as one of the most experienced players in the squad with over 30 caps to his name, he will be a crucial leader for the Scots in the heart of defence.

Prior to the announcement that the former Celt will captain his country on Friday, there was much debate over whether Kieran Tierney or Andrew Robertson would be named as the Scotland skipper.

Robertson has enjoyed a stellar season with Liverpool in his first year at Anfield, overtaking Alberto Moreno as the club’s first choice left-back.

Similarly Kieran Tierney, still only 20, has continued his development as one of Europe’s finest young defenders and has been arguably Celtic’s most consistent player.

The 20-year-old captained Scotland in a friendly against the Netherlands in late 2017, during the period between Gordon Strachan’s sacking and Alex McLeish’s appointment when Malky Mackay took the reins as interim manager.

With McLeish’s decision to appoint Mulgrew skipper for the two friendlies, is this an indicator that Tierney may be the favoured left-back when it comes to the captaincy for the future?

Unfortunately for McLeish, Tierney had to withdraw from the squad due to injury. Initially, many fans believed this handed Robertson a more likely opportunity to be skipper. However, if McLeish had it in his mind that the Liverpool star was to be the man, surely he would not have named Mulgrew as his captain today.

All of this remains purely speculative but, given the fact that Tierney is out injured, we may well see the young Celtic man named permanent skipper next time around.

With Mulgrew now 32, the same age as recent Scotland retiree Scott Brown, the Blackburn Rovers star is not suitable for the captaincy long term, as he nears the end of his career.