Why Tierney Must Stay In Scotland And Forget About The Premier League For Now
According to the Sun, Bournemouth have entered the race to sign Celtic’s Kieran Tierney at the end of the season. Tierney is also a long-term Manchester United target and his progress has been tracked by Tottenham Hotspur as well.
Tierney has been one of the standout performers for Celtic as the Glasgow side crushed arch-rivals Rangers 5-0 to win their seventh consecutive league title, on Sunday. The £20m-rated left-back produced one of his finest displays in green and white and provided an assist for the opening goal.
The 20-year-old’s stellar displays in defence for Celtic haven’t gone unnoticed this season, with some big clubs already taking a keen interest in signing him this summer. After impressing for his boyhood club this season, should Tierney leave Celtic and move to the Premier League in the summer?
A boyhood Celtic fan, Tierney joined the club’s youth academy at the age of 7, before progressing through the ranks and developing a reputation as an attacking left-back. He may be just 20 but has already captained his country and his club, having played against some of Europe’s elite in the Champions League as well.
The left-back has become an invaluable part of the Celtic first-team since being promoted to the senior squad in December 2015. Since breaking into the first-team under then manager Ronny Deila, Tierney has gone from strength to strength, making the left-back position his own.
Under current manager Brendan Rodgers, the Scotsman has been a beast. Unlike other full-backs who are either better going forward or solid defensively, Tierney is an all-round player, blessed with tremendous pace and outstanding work-ethic. His game has improved, playing in Rodgers’ free-flowing attacking style of football.
Tierney’s marauding runs have ripped apart defences and he has shown defensive intellect beyond his age. While going forward, his biggest strength is crossing and finding players in the box, while he also packs a powerful shot.
Tierney is a tough tackler, always willing to put his body on the line, which illustrates his tenacious nature. He is extremely difficult to beat in a one-on-one situation.
As an attacking full-back, Tierney often doesn’t position himself at the right place and is guilty of conceding possession in tricky areas. Despite being a great crosser, one of his biggest weaknesses is his passing.
However, at such a tender age, such weaknesses are very much understandable and there is high optimism that Tierney would overcome them in the next few years as he has the potential to become a world-class left-back.
Despite heavy interest from Premier League, it is crucial for Tierney to stay grounded and continue doing the good work for Celtic. He is a fan favourite in Glasgow and must stay with the Hoops for another season or two before making a move to the Premier League.