Kieran Tierney’s return to Celtic has been a rather interesting one.
For some, Tierney hasn’t hit the heights many expected he would, but the left-back has had troublesome injury issues and still doesn’t seem to be up to full speed.
That’s portrayed by the fact that Tierney has only completed 90 minutes once under Brendan Rodgers this season, and he also pulled out of the September international break with Scotland because of injury.
The October international break is around the corner, and Scotland boss Steve Clarke has named Tierney in his squad, alongside Anthony Ralston.
Steve Clarke on Kieran Tierney’s situation at Celtic after Scotland call-up
The relationship between international managers and clubs can, at times, be frosty, especially if a player is injured or isn’t fully fit.
But in Tierney’s case, there don’t seem to be any issues, as Clarke told Sky Sports that he has had no discussions with Celtic about the player because ‘I tend not to contact clubs.’
Instead, the Scotland boss watched from afar as Tierney played his first 90 minutes against Partick Thistle in the League Cup last time out, but was rested on the bench for the visit of Hibernian over the weekend.
Reporter: “Kieran Tierney was one of a couple of players who pulled out injured after being called up to the last squad. Have you had the discussions with people at Celtic to see where his situation is, at the moment?”
Clarke: “No, I tend not to contact clubs. I watch the minutes the players are getting. Obviously, Kieran has been fit. Played minutes. Managed a full game against Partick Thistle in the League Cup, which is good, so no issues.”
Tierney on a ‘recovery process’ after Celtic return
The European calendar is underway for club sides, and that now means matches on top of matches, including the international fixtures.
On Thursday evening, Celtic host Braga in the Europa League, after their 1-1 draw against Red Star Belgrade for the opener, and you expect Tierney to start.
Whether Tierney would then keep his place for the weekend Premiership encounter against Motherwell remains to be seen.
But Clarke still feels that, months into the new season, Tierney is still on a ‘recovery process’ after what his body has had to endure during the last few years.
Reporter: “Are you feeling quite confident that he has had those 90 minutes. I think Brendan Rodgers said it would be ‘big for him ‘psychologically.’ Do you think that could be a big boost?”
Clarke: “I think for Kieran, he’s on a recovery process, if you like, having suffered from a lot of long-term injuries. He’s working his way back. He was a part of the last squad, but he had to pull out with an injury he picked up against Rangers before the last camp.
“He’s fit now, and back in the squad.”
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