Tierney shows value as Celtic title defence begins
Kieran Tierney delivers a crucial assist to help Celtic kick off their Scottish Premiership title defence with a hard-fought win over Dundee.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Kieran Tierney provided the cross for Benjamin Nygren to head in the winner against Dundee.
- Tierney registered 12 assists and scored six goals from defence last season.
- Osasuna have reportedly made inquiries, but Celtic chiefs are set to reject any offers.
On a tough night at the very start of a new season, against a dogged Dundee side that set out to be aggressive and frustrate the hosts, it was a familiar name that helped Celtic usher in victory.
No, not Benjamin Nygren - last season's top scorer and the man who nodded in the winner to kickstart the Scottish Premiership defence - but Kieran Tierney, the man who crossed the ball for the Swede to head in from six yards out with a pinpoint delivery from his trusty left boot.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The left-back has arguably been Celtic's best player since the return of Martin O'Neill in January, but his renaissance has gone a little under the radar. Perhaps that is because expectations remain so high for the man who once fetched Celtic a reported £25m in a move to Arsenal before rejoining the club in 2025.
Regardless, he still registered 12 assists last season, the most of any Celtic player, and scored six goals from defence. He also created a team-high four chances and sent in eight crosses during the season opener, consistently proving to be one of the top defenders in the league for tackling, clearances, and blocking shots.
"You never know what can happen, but I love watching the wee man play, I love his passion. When there's a 50-50 he wins it, when a ball goes into the box he puts his head on it."
Callum McGregor
Managing the playing minutes of a dynamic fullback like Kieran Tierney is a delicate task for coaching staff, particularly given the physical demands of modern Scottish football and his injury history. Balancing his offensive contributions on the flank with defensive stability requires careful tactical rotation, explaining why he frequently impacts matches deeply even when not completing full 90-minute fixtures.
Meanwhile, reports emerged that La Liga side Osasuna have enquired about Tierney. However, given the lack of options in that position and his immense importance to the league champions, Celtic chiefs are expected to quickly knock back any potential offers for the 29-year-old.
Source: BBC Sport
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