Kieran Tierney was back in Celtic colours in a competitive capacity for the first time since 2019, as the Hoops beat St Mirren 1-0 on Flag Day.
This is a moment the Celtic Park faithful have been waiting for because Tierney’s return was on the cards for months, and then his free transfer from Arsenal was confirmed.
The 28-year-old has looked strong in pre-season and started several matches, as he lasted just over an hour against Stephen Robinson’s side.
It was a frustrating game for Celtic as a whole because, just like the final day of the 2024/25 season, the top six Premiership side fought and fought against Brendan Rodgers’ men.
Callum McGregor’s goal was disallowed in the second half for handball, but then substitute Luke McCowan netted the winner with three minutes left on the clock, and the champions started with three points.
Celtic fans react to Kieran Tierney’s performance vs St Mirren
Greg Taylor was the left-back last season, and he divided opinion with the supporters before leaving and joining PAOK, but it’s fair to say Tierney is not in that boat.
The Hoops fans on social media liked what they saw from their boyhood fan, including the chances he was creating without any reward.
But then, Tierney limped off just after an hour, with Liam Scales moving to left-back, and it got the supporters worried.
@Jonaldo_92 joked: ‘That Tierney boy looks decent.’
@PragmaticMarc urged the Celtic squad to step up to Tierney’s level: ‘Tierney is multiple levels above our squad, I only hope it inspires others rather than our squad reverting him. At least half a dozen of the starting XI are poor today. Plus, our captain slows our play down so much!’
@CBaruffati10 noted Tierney’s chances going to waste: ‘Crying out for creativity and desperately needing a proper quality striker. Idah is never going to be a 1st choice striker. Absolutely no quality on the wing. Tierney is creating all these chances, but pointless with who is up top.’
Celtic’s returning hero saw a lot of the ball early on, as @TheBhoysPage stated: ‘Kieran Tierney with 𝟕𝟕 touches in the first half.’
@JShaw1888 could see a different straight away: ‘Can see the difference Tierney will make to that team, but a quality striker and winger is essential if we are going anywhere this season.’
More praise for Celtic’s left-back: ‘Tierney and Nygren looking good. I wanna see Yamada cause idah has been offside like 1000 times just in the first half.’
@16_Gerry thinks Tierney is a ‘massive upgrade’: ‘The good… Tierney is a massive upgrade at LB. The pitch looks class. The bad… Yang. Empty jersey, Idah’s first touch, Lack of creativity from the middle 3.’
A bit of sarcasm with @Kitson67’s comment: ‘Tierney coming off. Class. Don’t worry, we’ll just bring on another left back…’
Another Celtic fan to mention the back-up option at left-back, as @tezw_88 added: ‘Scales moved to left back as Tierney trots off. Absolutely atrocious state of affairs @CelticFC.’
Tierney going off just after an hour got people talking, as @nickmclean17 added: ‘We really need Tierney to last longer than 64 mins……’
@Skyseller67 says Tierney is ‘next level’: ‘Tierney is next level. The drop in class from Arsenal to this team is risible.’
@TheCelticWay3 continued the theme: ‘Tierney off injured. Never saw that coming.’
Another Celtic fan who is worried that Tierney is injured, as @mmabhoy1888 stated: ‘So it just took one game for Tierney to go off injured.’
What Tierney did after going off amid injury worries
Tierney’s injury record has been a major talking point in recent years, and many think it even stopped his progression at Arsenal.
So, when the Scotland international limped off, with a club staff member by his side, you could understand some fearing the worst.
But when Tierney went off, he spoke with Rodgers briefly on the touchline, before taking his seat on the bench, and everything seemed to be fine.
Hopefully, this was planned, and it was just a case of giving Tierney an hour to build up his fitness, and there is no injury.
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