HAVING played alongside Danny McGrain with both Celtic and Scotland, Davie Provan isn’t easily impressed when he sees a full-back.
But the Sky Sports pundit, like so many in Scottish football, has certainly been taken aback whenever he has watched Kieran Tierney in the last couple of seasons.
So much so, in fact, that he feels the teenager has the ability to reach the same level as his legendary former team mate in the coming years.
“I think he has a long way to go in terms of how much he can improve,” said Provan. “But, certainly, for a boy of his age, just 19, he’s got a maturity and an assurance about him that’s very unusual.
“I played with the best of the lot, Danny McGrain. And it would be great to think he could get near that. That’s asking a lot, but he’s got so much going for him. He’s got a level head and that’ll help him.”
Provan is looking forward to watching Tierney, who is displaying exceptional form despite spending three months out injured this season, in action once again on Saturday when Celtic take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Parkhead in the fifth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup on Saturday.
But the one-time winger feels that football supporters in this country may not have the opportunity to see the teenager in the flesh for very much longer. He has no doubts that clubs in the Barclays Premier League will be monitoring his progress closely.
“There is every chance that Kieran Tierney will be on a wanted list of the bigger clubs down south,” he said. “In Celtic’s favour is the fact that the boy has come through the system, he has a real affection for the club and hopefully that would be reflected in him staying – for the next few years anyway.
“There is a huge pull to go and play in the Premier League in England at the higher level. The tough thing for Celtic is in keeping players happy in Scotland. Even though they are dominant in Scotland, I think there is always an attraction to go and play at the top level down south.”
Yet, Craig Gordon, the former Sunderland player who was the subject of two failed bids from Premier League leaders Chelsea during the January transfer window, managed to resist that.
Provan reckons that being given an enhanced deal proved decisive in keeping the Scotland goalkeeper at Celtic and envisages that is how the Parkhead club can prevent their leading players from moving on in the future.
“I think you can understand why,” he said. “Craig is in his mid-30s, he has a family to look after. I think Celtic handled it well and by all accounts he has near doubled his money. It might need that kind of ambition to keep the better players.
“I know money doesn’t always talk, but I think Celtic have to push the boat out to keep their better players. If you look at the improvement in the team since Brendan Rodgers came it is hugely encouraging. He has improved them beyond all recognition. If Celtic can do their bit to keep the team together and Brendan stays then the future is very bright.”
Provan has never been afraid to offer forthright opinions on any aspect of Scottish football and that outspokenness has led to some spectacular fall-outs with players and managers over the years.
One of the most prominent was Scott Brown who he described as “a poor man’s Murdo MacLeod” last term when his form for Celtic dipped dramatically. That barb earned a stinging rebuke from the player.
He has, though, been pleased by the revival enjoyed by “my pal Scott” under Rodgers in the 2016/17 campaign.
“He has surprised me, but it’s good to see,” he said. “I know he had injuries last season, but he had a poor season. It’s good to see him playing at the top of his game.”
Brown, who retired from international football in August, has benefited hugely from having a complete break from football during the summer. However, he came back to play for Scotland against England in a Russia 2018 qualifier at Wembley in November and looks set to feature in the Group F match against Slovenia next month.
But Rodgers is concerned about the prospect of his captain and first choice central midfielder being involved in the rematch with England at Hampden in June as it comes just a week before Celtic begin their preparations for their Champions League qualifiers. So should Brown play on for the national team on a game-to-game basis?
“It’s a tough one,” said Provan. “I don’t agree with players picking and choosing what Scotland games they play in. But I think these circumstances are slightly exceptional given his age. He’s 31, but he’s played a lot of football and he’s had a lot of injury problems. He’s not got the body of a 31 year old. I can understand why he might fancy the Slovenia game and might not fancy the England game.
“The problem is then public perception, that people don’t think anyone should be able to pick and choose when to play for Scotland, and I can see that side of the argument.
“But if you’re Gordon Strachan you would have him on his current form if he only wanted to play in the first half against Slovenia. Gordon is under pressure himself and you can understand he needs a result. Every game for him at the moment is a must-win so he is probably taking a selfish approach to this."
Davie Provan was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill is the proud sponsor of the Scottish Cup.
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