Kieran Tierney’s Scotland display against Ivory Coast has been reduced to a six out of ten rating, but that verdict from the Scottish media misses what Celtic will actually take from the performance. The focus on one moment ignores the far more important outcome.
There were clear positives in Tierney’s attacking play from the start. The Celtic defender “showed some nice link-up with Robertson down the left”, offering a consistent outlet and attacking threat.
Tierney also gave Scotland a goal threat himself, having “dragged an early effort past the post” during Steve Clarke’s side’s better moments of yet another abject national defeat. That side of his game remains intact.
But it seems the entire narrative has been shaped by one incident, when the Celtic star “lost sight of Pepe, allowing him to run off his shoulder and tap home the winning goal”. That single lapse has defined the rating and dominated the reaction.
And here, 67 Hail Hail dismantles that reaction.
Celtic are financially more profitable than most English Premier giants.
What message would you send the board with Celtic sitting 3rd in the SPFL?
Celtic will ignore the 6/10 and focus on what actually matters
The full assessment lays bare the contradiction about the Celtic icon. The Scotsman said of Tierney, “Showed some nice link-up with Robertson down the left. Was caught out of position on the counter when Ivory Coast grabbed the lead. Completed a rare 90 minutes for Scotland and can be satisfied with his evening’s work. 6”
That summary acknowledges the positives, the mistake, and the key detail, but still lands on a flat six. It is a rating that tells only part of the story.
The Daily Record also completely missed the point and said, “Showed early promise back in his old attacking left centre back role, linking up with Robertson to join attacks. 6“
The Edinburgh News’ verdict was, “Kieran Tierney (6/10). Celtic full-back completed the back three. A calming presence and linked up well with Robertson. Provided a few overlapping runs. Rarely tested defensively.”
And The Scottish Sun said, “Kieran Tierney: Won his 55th cap for Scotland. Dragged an early effort past the post before losing sight of Pepe, allowing him to run off his shoulder and tap home the winning goal.”
Tierney also “won his 55th cap for Scotland” , but that is not the real takeaway. The Celtic full-back “completed a rare 90 minutes for Scotland”, which is the key detail Celtic will prioritise.
For a player whose availability has been under constant scrutiny, that is not a minor note. It is the outcome that matters most heading back into club football.
Celtic will take the performance, not the media narrative
The defensive lapse came in a game where Scotland were repeatedly exposed on the counter attack. That context matters when judging one moment in isolation.
It was also a performance where wider issues were evident, with “glaring deficiencies” highlighted across the team. No defender was a standout in a lacklustre Scotland performance.
What remains clear is that Tierney’s core strengths are already visible. His movement, energy, and attacking involvement were all present throughout the match.
The six out of ten label reflects the mistake, not the full performance. Celtic will instead take the only takeaway that truly matters, Tierney is still playing, still fit, contributing, and getting through full matches again.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
