KIERAN Tierney joked that he was marked man from during Saturday’s William Hill Scottish Cup final because he hails from Motherwell – but said he would take that over the facial injury he sustained on the wrong end of a Jayden Stockley elbow in last year’s match any day of the week.
From a Cedric Kipre tackle within seconds to a barge from Allan Campbell, Tierney was on the wrong end of some fairly meaty challenges on Saturday, even if it didn’t manage to slow him down too much.
“I think that’s because I’m a Motherwell boy and I’m from there,” said the left back. “I’m just buzzing we’ve won the cup as that is all that matters. Last year it was an elbow to the jaw, so as long as that didn’t happen again it was alright.”
Read more: Cup cash won't change Stephen Robinson's fortunes at Motherwell
Tierney, who ended his afternoon fetching a banner from the Celtic support and co-ordinating his team-mates to display it on the pitch, spoke of the relief he felt booking a place in history. Watched by scouts from Atletico Madrid, he admitted there may be a time when he may have to leave the club, but that isn’t right now. “I saw what the manager said, that if I move it has to be best for both parties; the club and me. But he said it’s not the time now and I’m not thinking about it either. When a time comes I might have to leave, if it does it does, if it doesn’t then I’m not in a bad place to play my career at the club I love. I’m in no rush.”
Read more: Martin O'Neill insists Brendan Rodgers can follow up double treble with Celtic European success
While Tierney has been excused Scotland duty, there is little rest for Kris Ajer, who only gets a week of downtime before he joins up with the Norway squad for the friendly double header against Iceland and Poland. “I will have a nice week off before I join up with the national squad,” said Ajer. “Then I will have time for some relaxation after that in Norway. I don’t think the manager was concerned about me to joining up with Norway - it is a bit different for the Scotland boys as they have a lot of travelling to do.
“I have a game in Iceland which is only half an hour away then we play at home in Oslo. I can seed where Celtic are coming from because we’ve played a lot of games this season.”
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