Broken leg made me hungrier to make it at the Hoops, says Tierney

KIERAN Tierney has credited a cruel leg break three years ago with making him the player he is.

The Celtic left-back is first choice for club and country at the age of just 20 and looks to have a big future in the game, but it could have been so different.

Having been called into the first-team squad to face Ross County in December 2014, Tierney recalls how he broke his leg and admits it has shaped his career.

“The broken leg made me think about how I appreciate where I am,” said the Scotland ace. “The day after I made the bench against Ross County was the highest I’ve ever been, and a day later I broke my leg. But it made me a better player and a hungrier player.

“It gave me a taste of it, and I didn’t want a leg break to be an excuse, so I worked hard and made my debut at the end of that season. I always said making the bench made me hungry. To warm up at Celtic Park gave me a wee taste for it and I just wanted more.”