“Moments like that make it all worthwhile,” Kieran Tierney | OneFootball

Kieran Tierney has looked back on the decisive goal he scored for Scotland against Denmark to send his nation through to the World Cup, acknowledging that he has “been through a lot” on the journey to this moment…

Kieran Tierney of Scotland celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

With a little more than three minutes remaining in stoppage time, Tierney struck from distance, bending the ball past Celtic teammate Kasper Schmeichel which ultimately secured Scotland’s automatic place at next year’s World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.

Post-match, Tierney spoke with clear emotion about what it felt like to deliver the most significant goal of his career to date.

Kieran Tierney celebrates with Steve Clarke during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Speaking via Sky Sports, the Hoops left-back said: “It was surreal. I’ve never really scored a goal as important as that.

“What a feeling it was, for the country, for the fans, the staff. I think we all deserve it for how hard we’ve worked and what we’ve been through over the last few years. Getting to the World Cup tops it off for this group because it’s something we haven’t managed to do before, and we’ve done it the hard way.

“It’s very special, because the last few years, I’ve been through a lot with different injuries and different things. That’s football and that’s life. I’ve just kept trying to work hard and give my best by grinding through the hard times. Moments like that make it all worth it.”

Kenny McLean of Scotland celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with teammates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Tierney added: “I don’t know [what was going through my mind]. I ran in one direction. Somebody on the edge told me to take a touch. I don’t know who it was. I hit it and I caught it nicely. Kasper [Schmeichel] is a great keeper, so to beat him from outside the box, it has to be a really good strike.

“Kenny [McLean] then goes and takes the pressure off with his goal at the end – what a feeling that was.”

Tierney’s stunning strike means that Kasper and his international teammates are consigned to playoff football in March. The Danes will have to negotiate a semi-final and final if they are to reach the World Cup next summer.

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Thirties, Vol 1. published by Celtic Star Books,  Click on image to order from Celticstarbooks.com

Celtic in the Thirties, Vol 1. published by Celtic Star Books, click on the image to order from Celticstarbooks.com

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