Kieran Tierney

The last few weeks have been all about getting down to work for Kieran Tierney as pre-season preparations continue for Brendan Rodgers’ squad.

As a boyhood fan, the feeling of being back at Celtic was always bound to be a special one for the left-back.

However, it might start feeling all the more real this weekend, with the Hoops having their first outing at Paradise since the defender made his return to Glasgow.

Speaking to the media for the first time since being back in green and white, Tierney reflected on his early feelings of his return as he continues to settle back into life at Celtic.

He said: “It’s been great to be back! I’ve only been in Scotland for a few days with the pre-season and stuff.

‘But I feel part of the squad already and that I am settling in well.’

“There is some stuff that just feels the exact same. It almost feels like I have never been away, but even when you go up to Lennoxtown, the training ground has come on massively and it’s a great place to be.

"It is still a lot of the same people., although there are a lot of new players for me to get used to as well.

“The personal and collective targets for me are just the same, it’s just to keep Celtic as successful as possible.

“We want to maintain our place at the top. That is the objective.”


This Saturday afternoon will mark the Bhoys’ first outing at Paradise of the 2025/26 campaign, with a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United.

The Hoops welcome the English Premier League side to the East End of Glasgow, and it could also be the first time Tierney is back on the Paradise turf in action.

Ahead of that return, the 28-year-old insisted it will be a special day for himself and his family. Although there might be some initial nerves, it will have a homecoming feel for the defender, six years on from his last appearance at Celtic Park.

Having spent a number of years south of the border, Tierney also assessed what sort of challenge the Hoops will face against Saturday’s opponents, offering up a good test for the Celts.

“It will be amazing to be back here at Celtic Park,” Tierney said. “It will be a special day.

“There will probably be a little bit of nerves as well because it’s the first time I’ve done it in so long.

‘But I spent a huge chunk of my life here, and a big part of my career. I will be absolutely buzzing for it.’

“You always miss it. It’s a club that, and I won’t be the only one who says it, but when you're away you do miss it.

“You miss the people around the club, the fans, the atmosphere, and just everything about the club.

“But now I'm back here, and I want to enjoy every single moment again and make the most of it.”

“The two leagues are completely different,” he continued. “It’s hard to compare them, but it is a lot of the same challenges you are coming up against.

“You are facing a different set-up every week, different teams with different strengths or play styles. So the challenge in football is always the same in that it is different every week.”

 

SOME people thought Kieran Tierney's return to Parkhead was inevitable.

But the boyhood Hoops fan insists if he hadn't returned this summer, he might never have rejoined the club.



While some players are happy to return to a former team when their legs are slowing down, Tierney was only ever coming back to Parkhead if he knew he could help them sprint towards more silverware.

The all-action defender became a poster Bhoy for the club in his first spell, bagging three consecutive Trebles after coming through the youth ranks.

When he flew the nest to join Arsenal in 2019, many predicted he'd be back donning the Hoops one day - himself included.

But the 28-year-old revealed if he didn't come back now, it could easily have been never.




When asked if it was important to return while still at his peak, Tierney said: "I think so.

"That was another factor why I thought it was now or never time.

“If I didn't come back now and ended up signing somewhere else, I wouldn't want to come back at 33 and maybe I'm slowing down.

“I feel good just now. I'm in a good place and I'm obviously still young, so it's good.


I think honestly since I left, every summer or every time I started not to play, it was always the rumour that I would be back.

"But it was something that was obviously hard to do at the time.




But this time it was right and it was easy to do as a free agent. It was perfect.

"There's still a lot to achieve and a lot to give.


I'll give it everything every day, as I always have wherever I've been.

"But it's just that extra bit special coming back here."

Tierney's spell at the Emirates Stadium was disrupted multiple times through injury.

The full-back also suffered two hamstring tears during an otherwise successful loan spell in La Liga with Real Sociedad.


Tierney doesn't regret his time with either club but is understandably hoping for a clean bill of health in his first season back in Glasgow.

Tierney said: "I loved every minute of being away.

"It was hard and had its challenges, just like everything does.

“But no, I don't think badly about it because I never played the last season or two.


Arsenal's a good club, and Sociedad's a great club as well.

"And I met a lot of good people along the way and through the journey.


I'm grateful for them because they helped me through some tough times as well.



You don't want to be injured, but that's just the way it is.

"I can't sit and worry about what ifs or anything. I just do what I can to be in the best condition I can be in.

"Right now I feel good. I had the games in the summer with Scotland and then after that I had a good rest.

"But I did a lot of work as well just to make sure I was fit and ready.


And now it's just a build-up phase for me, because I've not played consistently last year.

"I was making some appearances, but consistent 90 minutes I've not had.

“It takes a good pre-season and a few friendlies to build it up.

"Now I'm feeling good and I'm absolutely buzzing to get into more games.


Having left Parkhead when he was 22, Tierney has returned a more mature and experienced player.

Lifting the FA Cup with Arsenal and experiencing Champions League nights with the Gooners and Real Sociedad has taken his game to another level.


Now he's relishing the chance to take on a leadership role in the dressing room, having seen the influence of former captains like Scott Brown in action.

Tierney said: "I would say I am more of a leader now and I think that just comes with age and experience.

“When I was here before, it was guys like Broony, Mikael Lustig, Charlie Mulgrew.

"And now I probably fall into that category because it is quite a young squad.

“I'm always there if anybody needs any help, whether on the park or off the park.




I feel like I'm more mature and I've learned a lot.

"I just try and take bits from everyone. Broony obviously was my captain here for years and now Callum McGregor.

"They are two perfect examples of what a leader is."

Tierney admits he'll be emotional when he steps out onto the Parkhead turf this afternoon for the first time in six years to face Newcastle United



Having already forged a promising looking partnership with Daizen Maeda down the left wing in pre-season clashes in Portugal, Tierney is excited to work with the relentless Japanese winger


When asked who has caught his eye the most since returning to Lennoxtown, Tierney said: "I think the one is Maeda.

"You think, 'how can he run like that all the time?'

"Me and Jamesy Forrest were sitting on the bench having a recovery shake after the Sporting Lisbon game, talking about how hot it was.



And he was there doing press-ups! He's a machine, a total machine.

"But he's actually like that in training as well. Being away for six years, I've still not seen anyone that can sprint like that - consistently sprint and press.

“And as a full-back, the amount of times he helps you defensively as well.

"It's only been a couple of games, but it's a joy to play with.



Not that he's surprised me, because I watched him for six years, but the fact that he's so consistent in his sprints is incredible.

"You want to build a connection with any winger you play with and I'm sure we'll get there."

 

"Anything to prove" has he * embarrassing from the hun media again.

 

Those crosses are something else, like he never left .

 

Solid performance from him today and delivery into the box was something else. Great to see him back at Paradise.

 

Arteta was a lunatic letting him leave.

Mental weve got him.

 

He has just insane quality, will be some left sided attack with him snd Daizen playing together generally.

 

Stay fit and we'll be laughing

 

I’m in love all over again. Quality from KT. His deliveries were top notch. Love how physical he is aswell when he’s pressing players, loves to get in there face and not give them an inch

 

His assist could bring a tear to my eye man.

his reception coming on.

Forgot how much I love this bhoy. Sheer quality. Hope so much his body holds up for us man

 

So good..

Please stay fit..

 

Should’ve had another assist aswell was it for his cross for idahs volley? Can remember him putting another belter of a cross in

 

No disrespect to Taylor who I liked and played his valuable part, having Tierney there makes our back four lockfast, with no weak links.That in itself will make a huge difference in the Champions League. Get a good back up left back, maybe Nazinho, and keep Inamura in the first team squad too, and we are sorted in defence.