SCOTTISH men enjoy a well-earned reputation for showing not even a smidgeon of emotion unless football or beer is involved.
Put those two together and it can turn any bloke who believes smiling to be a weakness into a hugging, crying, openly expressive Metrosexual complete with man-bag and a book of poetry.
Now Michael Tierney, father of Kieran, didn’t go that far on Sunday evening when junior returned home after helping Celtic to clinch the league title in Edinburgh; however, there was a special father-son moment which, if you’re from Muirhouse in Motherwell, doesn’t happen too often.
“I saw my mum and dad at the start of the game when I went out for the warm-up. You couldn’t miss my dad in his big green t-shirt,” said Tierney. “I just know my dad is so proud; him and my mum. All my family are always there, my friends as well. Knowing they are all there is a great support for me.
“I don’t know if my dad has got words for it all. Obviously, you want it to happen when you are young but it is difficult. I am lucky enough to be where I am just now.
“One of my dad’s quotes was to treat every game, every training session, like a cup final. Give 100 per cent. My dad drilled that into me when I was young and I take it to this day. I don’t want to lose a minute on the pitch. I just want to give my all, all the time.
“My dad told me how proud he was after he had a few beers on Sunday night! We had that chat then. He does tell me how proud I make the family. You kind of know that anyway, with them all being Celtic fans. It is just great for me knowing that I can make them proud because I wouldn’t be where I am just now without them all.”
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And that is Kieran Tierney all over. A genuinely nice, well brought-up lad who remains down to earth and humble despite being the most famous teenager in the country, a 19-year-old with the world at his feet.
No matter what happens to this lad, and right now anything is possible, it’s difficult to imagine this teetotaller falling out of some nightclub after trashing the VIP area. He has an agent, singular, but has no time for hangers-on, assistants and even the chauffeurs some players his own age in England seem to think is needed because real pros have an entourage don't you know.
“My dad always say: 'I’ll be your driver, I’ll be your driver!' He’s hopeless, man. I will always be my own driver,” he said with a laugh.
“I hope I will always keep my feet on the ground. I want to remember my roots and my best friends when I was five years old are still my best friends now.
“I have a good group of people around me and that definitely helps. After games, we don’t talk too much about football, just normal life stuff. 'What time are you going on the PlayStation?' and things like that.
“It is no different from what it would be like if I had a normal job. My pals are doing apprenticeships. They get up earlier than me and get home at 5pm or 6pm. That is another reason why I need to realise how lucky I am.”
So what would have happened to Tierney had he not been able to kick a ball and if his precocious talent was not spotted by, no less, John McStay, father of Paul.
“If football hadn’t worked for me, I think I would have been a brickie,” Tierney admits. “I did construction and things at school. I wasn’t mad smart, just normal. I think I would have gone to college and then an apprenticeship somewhere.
“Everyone says you always need to stick in at school for the back-up plan. Obviously when you are younger you never really think about it because it is just football, football, and football. But the older you get the more you realise you do need something.”
It would be wrong to say Tierney is quiet but by the same token he’s not the type to go looking for attention away from the football pitch. That’s not easy when you are a well- known and well-loved face.
“There are people who want to speak with you, but there is no-one being bad,” he said. “They are happy for you and congratulate you. That’s going to happen when you are from my area and you are a Celtic fan and it’s good, I don’t mind it at all.
“I don’t think about it too much. Sometimes when you are in Tesco’s you get people coming up and taking pictures of you. Sometimes you can see people sneaking a picture, but other than that, you just need to make sure you do not have a mouthful of food.”
Footballers get a bad rep, deservedly so way too often, but this is someone who you want to do well.
Tierney is honest, hardworking and appreciative of what he has. Players these days have too many games especially those such as this one who will be in the Scotland team when England come to Glasgow.
Most his age would be dreaming of the beach club but all this Celtic player wants is to pull on his boots and do what he does best for club and country.
“Obviously, I missed a few big games when I was injured but I’ll play any game that I am available for,” said Tierney. “When I am fit, I want to play No matter what I do, I try to give my best into anything I do.”
Can we clone him?
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