Kieran Tierney has arguably been Celtic’s best player since Martin O’Neill returned to the club in January, yet his resurgence has largely flown under the radar. Some of that may come down to expectation — this is a player who once fetched Celtic a reported £25m in a move to Arsenal, so the bar has always been set high.
The numbers back up his influence. Tierney finished last season with 12 assists, more than any other Celtic player, and added six goals from a defensive position. Only Falkirk’s Calvin Miller, now at Hearts, registered more assists across the league. In terms of big chances created at Celtic, only Daizen Maeda surpassed him, with 14 to Tierney’s 12.
Against Dundee, that quality was on full display. Tierney had the most shots on target of any Celtic player, created more chances than any team-mate with four, and sent in eight crosses — again, the most of anyone on the pitch. It was his left boot that proved the difference, delivering a pinpoint cross that allowed Nygren to head home from six yards out. BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer Tom English was effusive in his assessment: “He looked like old Kieran Tierney. He was bombing forward, getting in the box, had a couple shots on goal, doing all his defensive stuff, he was excellent.”
Defensively, Tierney consistently ranks among the league’s best for tackling, clearances and shot-blocking. Despite talk of managing his minutes, only three full-backs in the league played more than him — though he completed the full ninety minutes on just ten occasions in the league.
Contracted until 2030, reports have hinted at a possible return to Spain, raising questions about how replaceable he truly is. O’Neill has been clear on where he stands. “Those players are the football club,” the manager said of Tierney and captain Callum McGregor. “They are the backbone of Celtic, and I’m delighted to have them.”
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
