Kieran Tierney’s return to Celtic from Arsenal has not gone the way the Scotland defender would have hoped.
Already on his third manager since Tierney joined Celtic from Arsenal, the left fullback must be wondering what on earth is going on at his club.
Tierney enjoyed immense success at both clubs and now, back at Celtic, Wilfried Nancy has revealed he watched his defender play whilst he was in the Premier League with the Gunners.
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Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his team's goal, which is disallowed following a VAR review
Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his team’s goal, which is disallowed following a VAR review Credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
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And here, the Celtic manager lays bare the challenge he has set Tierney after being left impressed watching the 28-year-old strut his stuff in London.
Kieran Tierney in action for Celtic against Kairat Almaty
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Kieran Tierney told to ‘play with more freedom’ at Celtic by Wilfried Nancy
When Tierney takes on that attacking fullback role at Celtic, he marauds that left-hand side.
And after watching him play for Arsenal, Nancy has told his Celtic defender that he needs to see him attack more often.
Nancy told The Sunday Post, “I know Kieran obviously from his time playing with Arsenal and I know his qualities.
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“He is really, really, good and I have challenged him to play with more freedom.
“More freedom from an attacking perspective but also defensively because I want him to try more things.
“He has the level to do it and he does it, but I would like him to do it more often.
“His talent, the way he plays, his leadership qualities, all make him an important player for us.
“But sometimes he puts a bit of limitation on himself, and this is something that we have been talking about.
“The idea is to give him all the tools to be good, to be open and to play without constraints.”
What Kieran Tierney said about Celtic fans and Wilfried Nancy
Tierney is a massive favourite amongst the vast majority of Celtic supporters. But even he has been stunned with the reaction of the Hoops fanbase towards Nancy.
After Celtic lost to Hearts, Tierney said, “You can’t get beaten at home. Not acceptable.
“There were obviously positives to take there, for sure. The first half, especially, I think what was missing was the goal. I think we had our chances.
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Wilfried Nancy instructs his Celtic side against Roma
Wilfried Nancy instructs his Celtic side against Roma Credit: ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP/Getty Images
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“We had them on the back foot. It’s the crucial time to score, and we never managed to do that.
“I think in the first half, you have seen it, even the crowd were reacting well. I think we pressed well. We got the ball back quickly.
“Then, there will be times when we aren’t 100% sure yet. But that’s why we are training. We have a few days of training now before the next game. Things will be more clear as well.”
Celtic have the chance to lift the mood around the club with a win at Hampden today and if Tierney heeds Nancy’s advice, the chances of the trophy returning to the Parkhead boardroom increase massively.
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