Celtic were rightly proud when they announced yesterday that they had managed to tie down Kieran Tierney to a new six year contract.

The player himself is such a grounded, disciplined performer and his statement to the club’s website shows us that he’s just as level headed off the pitch:

“I give a lot of thanks to the manager for believing in me. I’ve also got the right people around me to keep me grounded and it’s a big credit to them. My family will be delighted and it’s a big reward for them for believing in me and putting the work in all these years.”

The left-back plays like a player beyond his twenty years. He managed to come into the first team without any issues, he has arrived onto the international scene without much difficulty and his experiences in the Champions League have benefitted him greatly.

Kieran’s ability has seen a flock of scouts arrive at Parkhead to see his talents for themselves. Dare I say that the amount of interested parties in the full-back could be reason in itself to see the Glasgow east-end side open a new hotel on the grounds adjacent to Celtic Park.

I’ve stated for around a year a now, that I believe that Tierney is Celtic’s real gem and their biggest talent.

Obviously goalscorers always grab the headlines and as such Moussa Dembele is also a wanted man and one who deserves high praise but for me Kieran is still the star who’d be first on my team sheet.

Tierney would probably already secure a fee of between £25m and £30m.

The Scotland internationalist is versatile enough to play anywhere in the backline but he’s fantastic as a left-back. He has good pace and acceleration, which you’d expect from a modern day full-back but Kieran is also strong defensively and works tirelessly getting back when he needs to. His style is reminiscent of a young Danny McGrain.

Kieran’s confidence grows with each game and he’s becoming a real force when in the opposition’s half of the field. He is scoring more, great at running at opposing players and creating chances for others. His performance against Scottish Premiership runners-up, earlier in the month, was simply majestic.

Celtic mad Tierney made his first team debut in April 2015 and since then he’s went on to make ninety-six appearances for the Hoops.

He has gone from strength to strength under the guardianship of Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.

Rodgers clearly loves having the young full-back in his team and shows huge trust in his prodigy:

“He’s such a big talent and still learning the game,”

“The beauty with Kieran is that he’s very focused. He’s very determined and never gets carried away and that’s why he can play numerous games and play really well.”

For the club, keeping Tierney at Celtic Park for as long as possible must be one of their biggest goals. He will only improve playing under Brendan.

He’s the player who the fans identify with the most because essentially he’s one of them.

Celtic have a rich history of developing local talent and turning them superstars but they’ve not done it for a while now. Recently they’ve seen potential in others and brought them to the club and then sold them on. In Tierney it looks like they may have once again produced a diamond from their youth ranks that could be set for any stage that awaits him.

Will he see out that six year deal? 

Possibly not, he’s such a good talent that it could prove impossible to turn down the huge bids that will surely come his way.

What this long-term contract does is secure a premium fee. The Hoops hierarchy also won’t be in a rush to sell the star in the next few seasons. I’d imagine that he will stay at Celtic Park for the next three or four seasons, he certainly won’t be in any rush to leave and make things difficult for his employers by handing in a transfer request.

He may eventually seek to explore the riches of the English Premier League or at one of Europe’s elite sides but he could equally be the next Paul McStay and stay in Glasgow for his entire career.

It’s great for Celtic and Scottish football that they’ve managed to keep such a talented youngster in Kieran Tierney at the club. The love affair between the left-back and the the club’s support will continue and it will only grow as the twenty year old will only get better!

Posted on October 31st, 2017 by scott
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