THERE may come a time when either cynicism or materialism start to pervade Kieran Tierney’s thoughts but it still seems a while away yet. For that, not only Celtic fans should be grateful.
Tierney is still just 19 but his performances over the past 18 months have seen him post a compelling case to be considered the most exciting Scottish talent of his generation. A first-choice pick for Celtic and now a regular member of the Scotland squad, it seems the full-back has the world at his feet. Eye-catching displays in the Champions League this season have showcased his talents to a wider audience, with a number of major English and continental clubs said to be keeping tabs on his development.
That level of interest, on top of the endless adulation from the Celtic support, would turn many a young person’s head. Tierney, though, does not seem fussed at all. If the trappings of fame and fortune have changed his life dramatically, then there is little outward sign of it. Even as he continues his recovery from a serious ankle injury, Tierney could not seem happier with his lot.
Should his playing career continue on this upwards trajectory then it seems almost inevitable that he will one day end up playing in the English Premier League or for another leading European side. For now, though, this former ballboy could not be happier playing for Celtic, the club he grew up supporting. A two-month absence due to ankle ligament damage – his first major setback since establishing himself in the side – would have seemed like a major nuisance to many, but to Tierney it just provided the opportunity for him to pull on a green-and-white scarf and return to the role of supporter.
“Is it frustrating having to watch the games? No, I am loving it,” he admitted with all the unbridled excitement of a child on Christmas Eve. “Celtic are winning so as long as that keeps happening I'm fine. I don't think I have missed a game since I have been injured. It's just enjoyable, going and watching Celtic as a fan again with my friends and my cousins.
“I remember at the game at Fir Park it took me half-an-hour [to travel about 10 metres] with the amount of pictures but that's expected and you don't mind it at all. I still feel like a fan. I still go mad when we score. Obviously when you're younger some people dream about playing in the Premier League. But I dreamed about playing for Celtic. It was always a Celtic strip I wore.”
Tierney, who has also undergone minor shoulder surgery, has not played since the end of October but has joined the Celtic squad on their mid-season trip to Dubai as he closes in on a return to fitness. In his absence, Emilio Izaguirre has filled in on the left side of defence with unerring consistency but, all being well, it is hard to see beyond Tierney returning to the side when Brendan Rodgers’ side commence the second half of the season with a Scottish Cup tie against Albion Rovers.
“A couple of fans have been joking with me saying 'you'll not get back in the team' but I just need to work hard and that's what I am doing,” he said. "I have been just dying to get back. I've been working hard every day since the day it happened. I am hoping to be back after the winter break. I am doing a lot of things out there now. I am changing direction, sprinting, so it's just about time now.
“Obviously the end to 2016 wasn't the best but the rest of the year was more than I could ever have hoped for and there’s loads to look forward to in the year ahead. But I’m just buzzing to get back now. Even just getting out on the pitch at the training ground, I’ve been full of energy. I’m loving it.”
This has been the longest period of rehabilitation in Tierney’s fledgling career, even longer than his recovery from a fractured leg a few seasons ago. But he is impressively philosophical about it all.
“The other rehab was shorter and that was a spiral fracture in the fibula. I think that was eight weeks and it's been longer than that with this one.
“Last year was brilliant for me up until the injury, a dream. I played 50 games, played in the Champions League and I am claiming the goal in the Champions League [against Manchester City] as well! I was also called up for the international squad, so everything was going well. So this is my first injury since my debut. But if you had told me I had to do my ligaments to play 55 games for Celtic, I would have done that easy.”
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