Kieran Tierney’s return to Celtic was long-awaited.
The left-back was reunited with Brendan Rodgers following the expiry of his contract at Arsenal, who signed him from his boyhood club for £25 million in 2019.
As one of the most highly-rated Scottish defenders of his generation, he moved to North London to much fanfare, but struggled to fully hit his stride due to injuries.
After moving on loan to Real Sociedad and returning to play a bit-part role in the Arsenal side, the chance to return to Celtic Park came at the perfect time for Tierney.
With the departure of Greg Taylor, it came at the perfect time for Celtic too. But for one pundit, an incredible stat says a lot.
Tam McManus reacts to stat about Celtic’s Kieran Tierney. Tierney pulled out of the recent two Scotland qualifiers as he battles to regain full match fitness.
With Marcelo Saracchi brought in as competition, he will need to be at his best when involved on the pitch.
For Tam McManus, one stat is a clear sign that it remains a work in progress.
He said on PLZ’s Football Show: “I think that was his first 90 minutes in about a year and a half, which is incredible when you think of Kieran Tierney as a footballer. He was in and out of the team at Arsenal.
“I think the intensity of the English Premier League took it out of him at times, but coming up here and getting 90 minutes against Partick Thistle will do him the world of good, and will give him confidence in his body.
“Because he’s had a lot of injuries, a lot of niggles. And I think the more 90 minutes he gets, then the better for him going forward. But he will get better, he will get stronger and fitter.
“He doesn’t quite look the same player that left Celtic, to be honest. But I think the more he plays, the better he’ll get.”
Who will start at left-back for Celtic against Red Star Belgrade?
Saracchi’s performance in his first start against Kilmarnock was a sign that Tierney won’t have it easy in terms of competition this season.
The Uruguayan, who has played for the likes of River Plate, RB Leipzig and Galatasaray, assisted Daizen Maeda’s winning header with a pinpoint cross.
Given Tierney’s 90-minute workload on Sunday and the quick turnaround for the game in Belgrade, it will be fascinating to see if he can keep his place.
With games coming thick and fast, both players are likely to see plenty of action throughout the season.
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