Kieran Tierney’s highly-anticipated Celtic comeback has suffered an early blow as the defender pulled out of Scotland duty with an injury. The 28-year-old featured in the national team’s bruising 3-1 loss to Iceland at Hampden, a result that heaped pressure on Steve Clarke just days after a flat performance against Finland.
Tierney looked short of sharpness throughout, prompting immediate questions about his condition. Those fears have now been realised, with Scotland boss Steve Clarke admitting that Tierney arrived in camp nursing a knock.
Kieran Tierney Brendan Rodgers
Soccer Football – Europa League – Celtic Training – Lennoxtown Training Centre, Glasgow, Britain – November 7, 2018 Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Kieran Tierney during training Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
The news comes at a frustrating time for Brendan Rodgers, who had been getting ready to reintroduce the full-back to his squad after a summer switch. With pre-season preparations just around the corner, the Celtic manager will be keen to have all his key players available and match-ready.
The exact details of the injury remain unclear, but the decision to involve Tierney at all has sparked criticism. With his well-known struggles to stay fit, questions are being asked about why he was risked in a friendly that carried no real significance. For Celtic fans, the main concern now is whether this setback could spill over into the start of the new season.
Tierney is still regarded as one of Celtic’s best ever academy graduates, and the buzz around his possible return has been significant. His pace, aggression, and presence on the left side bring a dynamic edge that could lift the entire team.
But that influence hinges completely on his ability to stay fit. Celtic’s medical staff will be keeping a close eye as the situation unfolds, with Steve Clarke providing an update on the defender’s condition.
He said: (PLZ Soccer), “Scott [McTominay] and Kieran both came into camp carrying some little issues over from the season.
“So I think if we had a longer turnaround between the games they might have had a chance but listen, it’s the end of season for those two.
“The most important thing is to have a good rest over the summer and come back flying in the autumn.”
Greg Taylor’s departure adds another layer to the situation on the left-hand side of Celtic’s defence, with the full story on his move to Greece exclusively covered elsewhere on CeltsAreHere. His exit only sharpens the focus on Tierney’s fitness and the need for reliable depth in that position ahead of a demanding season.
Soccer Football – Champions League – Knockout Phase Playoff – First Leg – Celtic v Bayern Munich – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – February 12, 2025 Celtic’s Greg Taylor before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
The question now turns to how Tierney’s recovery is handled. After a stop-start few years at Arsenal and Real Sociedad, the left-back needs a stable run of games to truly find form again. Celtic’s coaching staff will be aiming to balance his minutes and manage his workload across all competitions.
Tierney’s commitment to Celtic has never been in doubt. The player has made no secret of his love for the club, and his desire to return home has been one of the main stories of the summer so far. But sentiment alone won’t help if he’s not available for selection.
For now, Celtic fans will hope the withdrawal from Scotland duty is precautionary rather than the start of another long spell in the treatment room. If Tierney can stay fit, he’ll have a massive role to play in what promises to be another demanding season for the Scottish champions.
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