Kieran Tierney’s return to Celtic was a fairytale moment.
A lifelong fan who ended up captaining his boyhood club, Tierney made 170 appearances in hoops before moving to Arsenal for £25 million in 2019.
He was just 22 when he made his big move, and injuries prevented him from getting a fair run at his Arsenal career.
His long-awaited return was completed in the summer, reuniting him with Brendan Rodgers.
He never would’ve expected to be linking up with family hero in Martin O’Neill just months later, but that’s just what happened.
Kieran Tierney on memories of Celtic boss Martin O’Neill
O’Neill was nearing the end of his first Celtic spell when Tierney joined the academy at Barrowfield.
20 years later, they both made their Parkhead returns within months of each other. Fantastic stuff.
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Speaking to Celtic TV, he discussed how surreal it’s been to work with a hero such as O’Neill, and what he’s heard from his family since the gaffer’s return.
He said: “It’s nuts, because your earliest memories are Martin O’Neill, and what he done for the club and how he turned it around.
“The interview of what he first said at Celtic Park when he first signed is what you watch when you’re growing up.
“Even my cousin texted me, saying, ‘It’s mental that I’m going to a Celtic game, you’re playing, and Martin O’Neill’s the gaffer.’
“So for all my family who’ve watched Celtic for all these years, it’s been great.
“He’s got that personality about him, where you know he’s in the room – he only has to say a couple of words, but he can make you feel on top of the world and make you feel a great player, just with a couple of words during training or during a session.
“So to have someone like that in has been brilliant for all of us.”
Kieran Tierney’s Celtic return so far
Returning after well-documented fitness struggles, Tierney wasn’t able to last the 90 minutes in any of his first seven appearances this season.
This faced criticism given his hefty contract – but in wins against Sturm Graz, Rangers and Kilmarnock, he looked like the Kieran Tierney of old.
Then came what may well be the pinnacle of his career. His goal for Scotland against Denmark last week, which secured the nation’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years, has been seen by millions.
If that can benefit his form for his club, we’ll all be happy – it certainly sounds like Tierney is at the moment.
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