Kieran Tierney, the Celtic and Scotland star famed for his irrepressible spirit on the field of play, is set for a welcome back home to Celtic Park this Saturday. He’s slated to take the field in a friendly against Newcastle. For Tierney, this event represents an important career high point. It brings him full circle back to the club where his improbable journey was launched. At the tender age of 17, he had made his first team debut in a pre-season friendly against Tottenham Hotspur. Since then, he’s evolved into a multipurpose worker bee.
Before positioning himself as one of the better players in all of Europe for Celtic, Tierney occupied a strange role even in Celtic’s history. As a ballboy he was even there to share in the excitement of Celtic’s famous Champions League victory against Barcelona in 2012. His formative years with the club only fueled his commitment and love for the sport. This intensity carried him to a highly successful tenure, where he won four Premiership titles, two League Cups and two Scottish Cups. In the process, he was able to help form part of the famous treble treble squad that was managed by Brendan Rodgers.
Now at just 22 years old, Tierney was making the move away from Celtic to Arsenal. He’d passed 170 appearances at his boyhood club before making that move south. During his four years at Arsenal, he blossomed further, making 144 appearances while helping the Gunners endure a series of injury woes. Now 28 years old, he has returned to Celtic. He’s accompanied by a great wealth of optimism—one he thinks can further him in his career, and the Spurs for their part.
Reflecting on his decision to come back to Celtic, Tierney stated, “It’s probably the easiest signing Celtic’s had to make and easiest decision I’ve had to make.” He added that he has “nothing to prove” when he returns. He looks forward to his continued professional development and is committed to remaining in top physical form.
His reunion with boss Brendan Rodgers was a key factor in his choice to come home. Tierney expressed fondness for the manager, saying, “I loved playing under the gaffer, played so many games under him, was so successful, so happy and a great manager, delighted to be back with him as well.” This deep bond with Rodgers and the coaching staff has really re-sparked his passion for the game.
As he returns to the pitch at Parkhead, he’s determined to set an example as a player. He in particular relishes the prospect of stepping into a more veteran role with the younger squad. So, I think I’m going to move into sort of a veteran player. When I left, I was only 21 or 22 years old. Fast-forward to my second time around, at 28 years old, and I’ve come back with a Ph.D.
For Celtic supporters, the first glimpse of what’s to come can be seen in Tierney’s leadership and insight. His experience and know-how will be indispensable in maintaining their dominance domestically, and perhaps even beyond. He articulated his commitment to success: “My personal and collective aims are just the same. It’s to keep Celtic as successful as possible and maintain our place at the top, and that’s the objective.”
Leave a Reply