Kieran Tierney insight into how Celtic hero stayed motivated as Arsenal afterthought, what Henrik Larsson texted him ‘in tough moment’

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Kieran Tierney has been an afterthought at Arsenal the past few years.

It is a shame to say it but the left-back has not been shown the respect he’s deserved in North London since leaving Celtic for £25million in 2019.

That Celtic signed Tierney to a pre-contract back in January was a godsend for both parties and only Mikel Arteta prevented him from moving back then as opposed to having to wait until summer.

Tierney’s patience has been challenged and he has only made 11 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners this season.

• READ MORE: ‘Nothing to do with Celtic…’ Brendan Rodgers drops Kieran Tierney and Arsenal claim

Kieran Tierney says he has not struggled for motivation at Arsenal

But now the left-back has told Arsenal.com how he has managed to stay motivated in difficult times when he’s not playing.

“I’ve never struggled for motivation,” says KT. “I think everybody feels low at times, but it’s your family and friends who get you through that, and I’ve got a good kind of circle around me to do that.

“But I’ve never needed motivation – it’s just sometimes you need a bit of support.”

Tierney has two football heroes in his contacts list and both are related to his boyhood club Celtic.

Tierney and Scott Brown are best pals and the Ayr United boss has always been credited with playing a big part in his development.

But the King of Kings, Henrik Larsson, has also acknowledged KT and the defender explained how the Swede even reached out to him in a moment of need.

Tierney stays in touch with Celtic great Henrik Larsson

And it was a moment the defender will always cherish.

“When I got a bit older and played for Celtic I actually met (Larsson) a few times, had the chance to speak to him. He’s given me great advice as well, he always does. I’m still in touch with him quite a lot.

“Even in the tough moments, like just now when you’re not playing as much as you’d like, he still messages me, telling me to keep believing. That’s basically every Celtic fan’s hero, messaging me that, so that gives you huge confidence and inspiration.

“Then once I got into the first team at Celtic my inspiration would have been Scott Brown. To see his attitude towards training every day, to even see the way he warms up, the way he talks to people, his professionalism, his intensity.

“He really is a leader. So growing up it would have been Larsson and when I was part of the first team environment it was Scott Brown, hands down.”