Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney was a major absentee for the Scotland national team in their opening game at the ongoing Euro 2020 tournament. The Gunners left-back was a surprise omission from both the Scotland XI and the 23-man squad for their opening game of the Euro 2020 tournament against Czech Republic on Monday afternoon.

In his pre-match interview, Scotland manager Steve Clarke confirmed that Tierney picked up a knock in training thus ruling him out of the Euro 2020 opener against the Czechs and that the former Celtic player should be fit for the second group match against the Three Lions of England in the Home Nations derby on Friday.

Clarke and Scotland could have used a quality player like Tierney if he was available after the team got their Euro 2020 campaign to a disappointing start with the 2-0 defeat to the Czechs in front of their home fans.

The Scottish team were appearing at a major tournament for the first time in 23 years and since the 1998 FIFA World Cup tournament in France. The Scotland players let the occasion get to them against the Czechs during the game played at Hampden Park in Glasgow and that ultimately led to defeat in their first game in Group D.

The Czechs secured the three points on offer against the Scots thanks to a 2-0 victory. AS Roma striker Patrick Schick was the difference between the two teamsafter his brace either side of the interval. His first goal came shortly before the end of the first half via a header from the perfect cross from West Ham United right-back Vladimir Coufal before he added a second goal with an audacious chip over David Marshall in the Scotland goal for an early contender in the race to win the goal of the tournament.

Scotland would be hoping to make amends when they face England at the Wembley Stadium on Friday, while Croatia are the next opponents for the Czechs who are Group D leaders on goal difference ahead of England. England beat Croatia 1-0 in their first game of the Euro 2020 tournament in the same group.