AUDIO: Marc Tierney says he was on the receiving end of some footballing retribution at the weekend when his Norwich City debut was marked by a scything tackle.

But the Canaries left-back says he wouldn't have it any other way and insists he will stick by his 'live by the sword, die by the sword' attitude.

Tierney admits there are a few skeletons in the cupboard – including new team-mate Wes Hoolahan – and had clearly crossed paths with Crystal Palace midfielder Alex Marrow before their coming together on Saturday.

'I have had a previous altercation with Mr Marrow,' he said with a smile. 'I think when he was at Oldham on loan so I think that was him trying to get me a little bit, but I managed to just about get out of the way.

'It was one of those games, people leaving their foot in, but you expect that sort of thing and I won't be shy of getting my challenges in.'

The tackle sparked a mini spat which ended with City midfielder Andrew Crofts receiving a yellow card – proof, says Tierney, of the togetherness in the City camp.

'Crofty came in and backed me up and that's what we have got all over the pitch here and that is definitely good for the team as well,' he said.

That unity is shown in Tierney's attitude to his current situation ahead of tonight's clash against Millwall, when he is on standby should Adam Drury fail to recover from the thigh injury he suffered at Palace. While he is itching to make his first start and play in front of a Carrow Road full house, he also wants a fair fight for the position.

'Sometimes when it is hanging over you, you wonder when it will come, you are keeping your head down and trying to stay fit,' he said. 'But it's one of those things where you are never quite sure when you are going to come on and there it is, after an hour you get on – a good half hour. I felt pleased with making my bow and hopefully there is more to come but I hope that's more on selection rather than on someone else's misfortune.

'It's like that all over the park really. The players really are one bunch together and everyone's driving for the same thing and that's success for the club. I have had a few weeks out with little niggles and I have been doing my best to get back fit.

'I'm feeling fitter every day and the intensity in training here is definitely getting me up to speed. That half an hour (at Palace) definitely would have helped me. I had an hour in the arranged game against Dagenham the other day so I am coming along nicely in my own fitness, but I think every player wants the entire squad fit and then we will go at any team together as a unit.

'Everyone is together. Sometimes you see a lot more from standing back a little bit and whenever a goal goes in every single member of that bench is up and even the lads that aren't included, everyone is up and celebrating and that is a good indicator that everyone is together.

'I think Adam has been fantastic – he picked up a slight knock, but we are hoping that everyone can get fit for this game. Hopefully he is not too bad, but if not then I will be ready. If he is fine I am sure he will make the starting line-up again.'

Tierney expects Millwall to be as uncompromising as Palace.

'They will be coming here as a strong side who play in a similar way to Palace, in the way they go about things, very physical,' he said.

That should suit Tierney, who admits he may have other opponents happy to leave their calling card.

'There might be a few,' he said. 'I seem to pick these up on the way. Once you get out there everyone is so competitive.

'Millwall will be exactly the same. We know what they are going to come with – they will be trying to upset us, they will see our passing football and the way we move the ball and try and get into us and upset us, but the lads are used to that and will match it.

'I think you have to use all the attributes you have and if one of those is upsetting a player who might like to have it very easy, then that's what you do and get into them.'