KIERAN TIERNEY is probably still young enough to be writing letters to Santa and he would like his present early this year. The 19 year-old’s Christmas list is a short one - he just wants to have a maiden cup medal in his possession by the time the big day comes around.
Tierney, unsurprisingly, is not old enough to remember when the League Cup used to be done and dusted before the festive decorations went up but the recent revamping of the rebranded Betfred Cup has seen the final move this season from its traditional home in March to November.
Celtic take on League 1 leaders Alloa Athletic at home this evening, looking to move into the last four of a competition they last won 18 months ago, just prior to Tierney establishing himself as a first-team regular.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has already stated that he wants to capture silverware early in his tenure and Tierney is just as eager. While the league and the Champions League undoubtedly remain Celtic’s priorities this season, the young full-back also wants the chance to get his hands on another medal before the year is out.
“To get the manager his first piece of silverware would be great,” said the Scotland cap. “The final is early this year. It would be good for everyone’s confidence to get a trophy won before Christmas. Alloa have had a great start to the league and they are top. They’re not going to come here and lie down so it’s going to be a good game. And it could be a dangerous game if we are not careful. We’ve seen that before against Arbroath [in 2012 when Celtic drew in the Scottish Cup]. Anything can happen. But we approach every game the same, 100 per cent committed. There are no easy games. We all know that.”
Winning the Betfred Cup would, of course, tick the first box in Celtic’s 16-year long quest for a domestic treble. Defeats to the likes of St Mirren, Morton, Ross County and Kilmarnock in recent seasons have thwarted previous attempts at a clean sweep but, with Rangers again toiling and Celtic revitalised under Rodgers, this may well be their best chance yet.
“I believe there is a real possibility [of Celtic winning the treble],” said Chris Sutton, the former Parkhead striker now working as a pundit for BT Sport. “That’s why this game is deadly serious. Brendan can’t afford to rotate big style and give people a game.
“I don’t think that’s his style and that’s a similarity with Martin O’Neill. There is a time to do that but surely not in your first season. He’ll go out trying to put this game to bed in the first 20 minutes then maybe relax. This competition is a serious competition. I like the format because it’s different, it had the group stages, now it’s getting to the nitty gritty. It’s the first trophy of the season and it’s absolutely crucial. This is supposed to be Celtic’s 100th major trophy, it’s a big deal.”
A year has passed since Tierney first came into the side, replacing fans' favourite Emilio Izaguirre. He believes he is now a lot more comfortable with the level of pressure that comes with being a Celtic player.
“A year ago the expectations were not high. I was just a young boy coming into the team. Maybe I had a bit more freedom but now everyone knows who I am and they expect me to play well. That’s harder but it’s what every footballer has to deal with. I want to keep pushing myself. I was gutted after [the draw at] Inverness and I am hard on myself after we lose. But that’s good because you don’t want to make the same mistakes. I try to learn from mine.”
The loss of a further two goals against Caley Thistle on Sunday has heightened the focus on goalkeeper Dorus de Vries. Having replaced Craig Gordon between the posts, Sutton is not convinced that the Dutchman has made a great start to his Celtic career.
“The goalkeeping position is one which is an interesting one now,” he added. “I don’t think de Vries has come in and hit the ground running. I think that’s open for debate. I thought he should have saved the first goal [against Inverness] and I think he should have caught the cross rather than punching it in the build-up for the second. It’s a position which is certainly up for grabs.
“There’s a debate north and south of the border about goalkeepers with the ball at their feet. I don’t think I’m old-fashioned but I just want a goalkeeper to keep the ball out of the net and catch crosses. Do that first and foremost. We know coaches and managers are aspiring to have an all-round goalkeeper but surely it’s more important to do the basics properly.”
- BT Sport is the home of the Betfred Cup. Watch Celtic vs Alloa Athletic tonight exclusively live on BT Sport 1 from 7:15pm.
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