Veteran Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher has spoken out about the talents of Celtic full-back Kieran Tierney following Scotland’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The Scots needed two wins from their two games against Slovakia and Slovenia during the recent international break, but only managed four out of six points, despite winning their first match and going ahead early on in the second.

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However, ex-Manchester United man Fletcher is not dwelling on his country’s misgivings in qualification, and instead has chosen to speak about the future, with special praise for Kieran Tierney.

Fletcher said (via Evening Times):

He is a fantastic talent with a massive future

I can’t speak highly enough of him either on or off the pitch. I think we are really witnessing the rise of a player who will be a very special talent.

Tierney, 20, has supported Celtic since he was a child and moved to the club when he was eight years old — eventually making it to the first team in 2014.

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Fletcher continued:

You are always aware that there can be an element of hype with young players and I always tend to be naturally wary of that but I think with KT it is justified. It is not just his natural ability – which is there for all to see – but his power and everything about him

Tierney is just nine appearances away from a century of games for the Hoops, and is certainly one of the world’s most promising young players.

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Fletcher had a lot of praise for the youngster’s mentality, too:

What takes you to the next level is mentality and he has exactly the right mindset. He wants to learn, he is tenacious, nothing fazes him and he is very calm under pressures. He is also a very likeable, grounded lad and he certainly doesn’t seem to have been carried away by the way he has started his senior career which is always a good thing.

Fletcher is considering international retirement following Scotland’s failure to reach the World Cup, but Tierney is certainly a figure who can carry the team in the future, if the veteran’s comments are anything to go by.