Kieran Tierney is more than settled back into life at Celtic.
After six years away at Arsenal, Tierney returned to Paradise on a free transfer and back to the club he loves so much.
Tierney has had to work his way back up to speed after a number of injuries over the years but his experience and influence around the dressing room is invaluable.
It’s been over two months since he rejoined Celtic and Brendan Rodgers has now set him a new challenge once the international break is over.
Brendan Rodgers wants Kieran Tierney to improve fitness
If there was one criticism of Tierney since coming back to Celtic Park it would be his ongoing fitness issues.
The 28-year-old is yet to complete a full 90 minutes after featuring in all four Scottish Premiership games and the Champions League qualifier against Kairat Almaty.
A full 90 minutes is the next test for the full-back and Rodgers has called upon Tierney to achieve that sooner rather than later.
He said: “I think it has to. That’s the reality of it. We knew there was going to be a period of adaptation from the challenges he’s had over the last couple of years or so.
“There’s no doubt, I believe that will come. In the meantime, he’s there and he’s working and playing. Obviously, because of the little bit of history of the injuries, we’re just making sure with him.
“If he feels something, I’m pretty sure that will end over a period of time where it might just be tiredness, rather than thinking that he might want to re-injure. It’s something that we’ll do over time.”
Celtic have managed Kieran Tierney well
There may be some frustration from sections of the crowd on Tierney’s failure to last the distance in games so far, but it’s been the correct approach to take from Celtic’s point of view.
We all know what the full-back is capable of and while he’s perhaps not been at his very best, that time is bound to come soon.
As far as talents go, Tierney is up there with the very best and from September onwards, that’s when he can really be judged.
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