KIERAN TIERNEY: CELTIC'S RAY OF POSITIVITY IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
- By LIAM McBRIDE
- 5 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Acsom's Liam McBride gives his verdict on Kieran Tierney's first two competitive games since returning to Celtic.
For all the negatives that have surrounded the Celtic transfer window so far, the squad has undeniably improved in defence thanks to the addition of Kieran Tierney.
Over the opening two league outings, the Bhoys have kept two clean sheets while facing just four shots. It’s an admittedly small sample size, but the signs are positive nonetheless.Â
For large periods of last season, the Champions boasted a statistically excellent defence. Yet, the eye test tells you that Brendan Rodgers' side is already better defensively set up than the team that conceded just twenty-six goals last season.
Kieran Tierney: Celtic's Future Captain
At the beginning of last season, Rodgers highlighted his satisfaction at the improved defensive solidity and counter-pressing. With Celtic flying out of the blocks, he emphasized how the defensive excellence of the team gave a platform for aggressive attacking play, both on and off the ball.
I’m not here to disagree with the manager, yet, truthfully, at times it felt as though the reverse was the case. Celtic were able to defend well due to the dominance of the midfield and attacking line. The majority of games were spent in the opposition half with very little to worry about at the other end.
After all, there was still the glaring weakness on the left-hand side of defence. With Greg Taylor and frequently Liam Scales on that side, a high Celtic line could easily be played in behind.Â
It’s not a harsh criticism of Taylor, it’s more of an undeniable fact that the 27-year-old lacked height and pace, therefore leaving him easily exposed. Moreover, his hesitant one-on-one defending could be pounced upon by direct wingers.
In the domestic scene, this wasn’t a major issue. The level of opposition that the Hoops play week in week out doesn’t pose a serious threat on a consistent basis. Yet, as you move to the European stage, or even a Glasgow Derby, all of a sudden, the picture becomes a bit different.
With the signing of Kieran Tierney, the Celtic faithful knew what they were getting. Two games in, it’s already clear just how much of an upgrade the former Arsenal man is. At Pittodrie on Sunday, Dimitar Mitov launched a long-ball towards the Celtic left-hand defence, Tierney defiantly headed it out of danger. Once again, no slight on Taylor, it’s just something that he wasn’t physically able to do.Â
Moreover, the pace of Tierney in comparison has left an often lackadaisical Scales less exposed, meaning that when the Irishman does need to defend, it’s more to his liking. He is less often tracking back and covering the left side, but now defends in central areas, both aerially and on the ground. Scales doesn’t need to search far for his critics; I have consistently been one of them.
Yet, you can’t deny that his last-ditch scrappy defending on the ground and in the air is a strong part of his game. The only glaring mistake that comes to mind in that department was at Ibrox last season for Cyriel Dessers’ goal.
Apart from that, the issues last season came when Celtic lost possession high up the park and he was running back facing his own goal. Unless everything is in front of Scales, he struggles to anticipate the play.
In this football generation, there are many fullbacks who play the inverted role, akin to a midfielder. Taylor was one of them. While he was very comfortable on the ball, some of his play in the central areas felt somewhat redundant.
Tierney is, to all intents and purposes, old-fashioned.Â
When he picks the ball up in his own half, he will drive forward, look to release Maeda, or get it to stick with Idah. In more advanced positions, he will look to cross, sprint to the byline with his powerful acceleration, or recycle possession.
It’s simple, it’s effective and brings balance to the side moving forward. That can be demonstrated in both goals.
For the opening goal, his turn of pace is what creates the opportunity for Nygren to score his first goal in Celtic colours.
While he doesn’t directly contribute to the second goal, Hatate’s positioning is a symptom of Tierney’s influence. Throughout last season, the 27-year-old drifted wide left to pick up possession with Taylor in the central area.
However, the lack of an inverted fullback has seen Hatate return to more central positions (where he excels) plus an overall greater balance to the midfield.
Besides, when Celtic loses the ball, they are in a much easier position to deal with any oncoming counterattack, as Tierney only needs to retract horizontally to form a flat four.Â
As Celtic fans, we know all this; we’ve seen it before. Yet, it’s such a welcome reminder of the quality and balance the boyhood fan brings to the team.