Tierney, the Basque language and what he will tell his grandchildren about Real

Sometimes it takes months to find out whether or not a team is successful in signing. In Kieran Tierney it is simpler. It is enough to see his physiognomy for a second, his way of moving around the field and hitting the ball to realize that Real has taken a high-level left-back. And reading his statements will clear any doubts.

said Tierney that he wants to learn Spanish and Basque before leaving -in principle he will only stay for one year because his loan does not have a purchase option- and that “being the first Scottish player to play for Real is something I can tell my grandchildren”. The Isle of Man winger attaches great importance to identity, to values ​​and it brings him emotionally closer to what he has found, and he is pleased.

In a juicy interview with ‘The Sun’, the left-back showed all his enthusiasm for this season: “I love the challenge,” he said. And he doesn’t want to be one of those who come, play, get paid and leave: “I try to embrace everything here, the culture, the language…”. The defender attaches great importance to learning the “language”. This is another way to “show respect to all.”

Classes via ‘Zoom’

These two weeks of FIFA break and matches with his team will not represent a break in this sense for the new realist: “The club has given me a tutor and while I am in Scotland I will receive Zoom lessons .” the goal is noble and he will give everything on his part to make it happen: “I have to learn Spanish and Basque; I love it”.

The British often struggle to become fluent in Spanish, but Tierney’s wish is to “talk for a few months” with the players and staff.

pride of his family

After only a few training sessions at Real, the Scotsman started against Granada, showing Imanol’s immense confidence in his football and his experience. “I’m excited to play my first game in La Liga,” he said. Tierney. “My family is very proud of me, that’s what matters.”

The new royalist signing understands that imanol he will be replaced by Aihen in the 69th minute, although he admitted that he “would like to play longer”: “It’s understandable; it’s been about four months since I started a competitive game.”

Nervous about the debut

Tierney admits that as a child he watched many Spanish League matches on television: “It was an incredible competition,” he admits now. And, although he already has plenty of notches on his resume, he admits that before the game “I was nervous.” And for him, who came to Arsenal from Celtic Glasgow, “it’s a new beginning, a new country, a new language, a new club, new teammates, a new league, but I always wanted to play in abroad… ” .

But it is not unusual for him and the adaptation has been meteoric, among other things thanks to the club and his new teammates. The Scottish international said La Real “gave me everything I wanted”. He feels very familiar with everything that the txuri urdin entity and its people represent: “Real Sociedad is a very proud club of a passionate Basque region. They don’t usually sign many foreign players, in history they have players from the area” , tells a story, for the knowledge of the British audience.

For this reason, the fact that they signed him in this context “is an incredible show of faith” and he could not be more honored: “It is an honor and a pleasure for me to play for Real Sociedad and the I want to reward the coach and everyone at the club”.

exceptional welcome

Regarding the reception in the locker room, he had only words of thanks: “It has been extraordinary, it is the best locker room I could have found. academy”. So far, everything is positive for Tierney: “The stadium, the training ground, everything is first class and the city is beautiful,” he said

Elected soon

Tierney He had other proposals on the table, as he became transferable as he showed no signs of playing a leading role at Arsenal. But he didn’t hesitate too long: “Since I knew they were interested, I started investigating the club and the city. I went directly to Google. Real Sociedad very quickly became my first choice. I had different choice, but I told my agent that my heart was set on Real Sociedad and from the first moment I arrived I knew he was 100 percent right. They all made me feel loved.”

In this decision-making process, he played a central role Martinxohis partner: “My Arsenal captain, Martin Odegaard , who played for the club, was able to tell me everything about the club and the city. He thinks this is a big step for me. Martin It’s a big help”, confessed the left-back.

Arteta and his staff also had their share: “There are several Spanish coaches at Arsenal and they all said that personally and professionally I wanted to be at Real Sociedad. They felt it was a good time to go there ,” says the new realist.

with a smile on his face

Tierney, as seen during the game, recounts that against Granada “I played with a smile on my face, just like I am in training.” At this point he praised the work of those around him: “The coach, the coaches, the staff and the teammates could not have done more for me before Saturday. It is not easy to go to a new country and have a few days to adapt before debuting, especially when you haven’t played for a long time. Most of the credit should go to the people at the club. I feel I did well, but I have more to give. I have to prove my worth against Real Sociedad, show why they brought me here and, of course, in front of the fans.”

Now comes the good. First the Bernabéu, “one of the biggest and most amazing stadiums in the world”, and then the Champions League and that group with Inter Milan, in Benfica and Salzburg: “I hope I play because nothing can take that away from me” . In any case, finish Tierney that “even without the Champions League, Real Sociedad attracted me”.