Kieran Tierney’s Celtic return was viewed by many down south as the easy option for the former Arsenal defender to take.
As every Celtic supporter knows, the Scottish game is viewed with disdain by many pundits and former players down south.
And when Tierney returned to Celtic in the summer, many viewed this move as the easy option for the former Arsenal defender, but as this season has panned out, it is crystal clear that they didn’t have a clue what they were talking about.
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Kieran Tierney travels with the ball during the Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Dundee United
Credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Kieran Tierney’s battle for fitness at Celtic
Tierney has been unfairly tagged as an injury-prone player who couldn’t hack the rough and tumble of the Scottish Premiership, especially after his difficult spell in England.
So far this season, the Celtic full-back has made 42 appearances scoring five goals and creating 11 assists as Tierney helps keep the Hoops’ title defence alive.
Out of those 42 appearances, the 28-year-old defender has started 35 and completed 70 minutes or more in 29 of those outings.
There were lingering doubts about Tierney’s ability to remain fit for the rigours of Scottish football at Celtic and it’s clear the Hoops star has rammed those where the sun doesn’t shine.
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Celtic’s title defence proves English critics wrong
As for Tierney coming up to Scotland for an easy life, this season’s title defence has proved that theory all wrong.
As Celtic sit second in the Scottish Premiership table, five points from Hearts in first place, fans have watched how the Parkhead club have battled with Rangers and Motherwell to keep up with the Tynecastle club.
Admittedly, Celtic’s standards have fallen, however, what cannot be denied is that Hearts and Motherwell and even Hibs have all raised their games this season.
And we have yet to mention Falkirk who have proven tough opponents to Celtic in all competitions so far.
For Tierney, he will be loving his return to Celtic because the former Arsenal man has not only proved his critics down south wrong, he is enjoying probably one of his best seasons in the green and white Hoops despite the on and off the park struggles.
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