Pat Bonner states what he is now noticing about Kieran Tierney, months after his return to Celtic

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There aren’t many more popular players in the Celtic dressing room than Kieran Tierney.

The Celtic hero’s return to Glasgow in the summer was much anticipated and welcomed by the supporters.

But there were those question marks over Tierney, who came back on a free after his Arsenal contract had expired, because of the injury issues he had suffered in recent years.

Let’s be honest, it was a slow-burner for Tierney at the start of the campaign, including the powers that be were eagle-eyed when it comes to his fitness and minutes.

But Celtic’s Scottish Cup win over Dundee on Saturday evening is further proof that the all-action left-back is getting back to his best, as Pat Bonner touched upon.

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Kieran Tierney has been one of Celtic’s best players this season…

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Pat Bonner praises Kieran Tierney as Celtic beat Dundee in Scottish Cup

Celtic’s win over Dundee was ugly. The overall performance from Martin O’Neill’s side was pretty poor, and many individual players underperformed.

But one man who can hold his head up high is Tierney, who was outstanding on the left flank, before he had to be subbed off, just before Junior Adamu’s stoppage-time equaliser.

Bonner noted how Tierney is improving and how it is also related to his fitness.

“Kieran Tierney has come into a game over the past few weeks,” Bonner told BBC Sport. “You can see he knows he’s a lot fitter now.”

Tierney’s minutes for Celtic this season

It was a common theme for Tierney to be subbed off again and again at the start of the season. It was clear that he was being managed very closely.

The first time Tierney completed 90 minutes this season was against Partick Thistle in the League Cup at the end of September.

And since then, his minutes, regular starts, and 90 minutes completed have been growing and growing.

• Tierney’s games this season: 36
• Tierney’s first start this season: Against St. Mirren, August 3, 2025, Premiership
• First 90 minutes completed: Against Partick Thistle, September 21, 2025, League Cup
• First back-to-back 90 minutes completed: Against Dundee and Sturm Graz, October, 2025
• Total starts this season: 30
• Subbed off: 18
• Total 90 minutes completed: 13
• Total minutes: 2,615 (up to date, as of Celtic’s win over Dundee in the Scottish Cup)