Kieran Tierney has had a strange season at Arsenal, to say the least.
The defender barely kicked a ball early in the campaign before Celtic showed a desire to bring him back to Glasgow on a pre-contract. Mikel Arteta then interestingly rejected a January move for the left-back to seemingly avoid being short in the position.
Tierney has featured once or twice since with the Gunners needing their entire squad as they attempt to claw back Liverpool’s significant Premier League lead.
And he started for his side in last night’s Champions League last-16 second-leg tie vs PSV Eindhoven with the English side already basically through following their 7-1 mauling of their foes last week.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Kieran Tierney started for Arsenal vs PSV in an unfamiliar role
Tierney was given a role further forward than his traditional full-back spot and was asked to attack for his club. And when he attempted to do so he put in some dangerous crosses as he so often has done over the years.
The 2-2 draw on the night saw KT eventually taken off and given some rest but not before he was flattened by a brutal and late challenge from former Tottenham wide player Ivan Perisic who now turns out for the Eredivise outfit.
The Croatian “clattered” into Tierney and left him crumpled on the floor and even TNT Sports’ commentary team acknowledged that it was a poor challenge.
Ivan Perisic’s tackle on Tierney was branded ‘naughty’
On commentary, former Leeds United player Lucy Ward branded the tackle “a little bit naughty”, as she added how: “Tierney knew that he was coming and expected something but he’s been absolutely clattered there.”
MORE CELTIC STORIES
Tierney is no stranger to a rough coming together or two with the Scotland cap and soon-to-be Celtic star a full-blooded defender who likes to put himself about as much as the next guy.
The 27-year-old has managed 10 appearances in all competitions this season but won’t be down south for long after agreeing a pre-contract at Celtic Park two months ago.