Celtic told Kieran Tierney simply won’t follow in Callum McGregor’s footsteps with ‘selfish’ call

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The best news of the summer transfer window so far has been Kieran Tierney coming back home.

Yes, Celtic fans were expecting it, but it was still met with a big roar when Tierney’s return to Glasgow was confirmed on June 10.

The 28-year-old will reunite with many familiar faces at the champions of Scotland, including manager Brendan Rodgers and skipper Callum McGregor.

The last time McGregor and Tierney played alongside each other wasn’t in Celtic colours, but in fact, for Scotland at Euro 2024.

But despite having plenty more left in the tank, the man with the Celtic armband decided to call it a day and retire from Scotland duty after the nation’s last major tournament.

• READ MORE: Celtic backed to sign left-back with 280 Premier League appearances to challenge Kieran Tierney

Celtic star Kieran Tierney won’t retire from Scotland duty

It has been suggested that Tierney should follow suit and retire from international duty like McGregor, especially given his recent injury issues.

But that was dismissed by Marvin Bartley because he thinks the soon-to-be departing Arsenal man still has ‘a lot to give’ for his country.

Bartley understands that, from a ‘selfish’ standpoint, Tierney could walk away from the national team and it will hugely benefit his club career, but it isn’t going to happen, as he told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard.

“100%, I believe he still has a lot to give,” said Bartley. “I think he actually just turned 28 at the start of this month.

“He will definitely feel that he has a lot to give. Kieran Tierney, by all accounts, is a top, top professional. He has just been extremely unlucky with injuries. It happens to some players throughout their careers.

“He might be at a point now where he is thinking, ‘do you know what, if I can just get a good run at it. If I can get this bad luck away from myself. The way I look after my body, train, rest and everything else.’ If everything aligns, then hopefully, he can have a season where he is injury-free. 

“I don’t think that will even be anywhere near his thoughts to think about retiring from international football for Scotland.

“I get from a selfish point of view, from a Celtic fan’s point of view, of course, you want Kieran Tierney to be fit for Celtic, and at less risk of getting injured if he isn’t on international duty.

“But, from a player’s point of view, as long as you can do it, then I think you will always do it, put on that jersey.”

Callum McGregor and Tierney’s records for Scotland

It needs to be noted that the 2026 World Cup is around the corner, and with Tierney yet to participate on world football’s biggest stage, it’s something he will want to achieve.

If Tierney’s injuries continue to bother him, then it’s something he might have to think about post-2026 World Cup, but until then, he will want to add to his caps.

But, as of this moment, he is nearing McGregor’s caps tally for the Tartan Army, and if he continues playing for his country beyond the next major tournament, then he should surpass it with ease.