Tierney: I can’t switch off from Celtic... when I go home after a game all anyone wants to talk about is... Celtic!

cent – then do it in games. It’s easy to say it means more to me because I’m a fan. I grew up Celtic.

“Everyone in the dressing room is a professional. You want the best for you and your team. We’ve got everybody in the changing room fighting for each other.

“We’ve got each other’s backs and that’s what you need in times like this when everybody’s trying to get on to you a bit more.

“It’s very early to talk about who is going to win the league. We’ve still got 30-odd games to go and it’s a long season.

“We’re not at the top just now bit our aim is to climb up, taking it game by game.”

For the moment though the focus of attention for Celtic is the Europa League and Group B opponents Red Bull Salzburg.

Brendan Rodgers’s side are facing almost an identikit of themselves in their domestic league. The Austrians have won eight out of the last 10 titles, four doubles in five seasons and are currently on five in a row.

They are also averaging three goals a game so it is small wonder Rodgers has stated a more pragmatic and cautious approach is needed in Salzburg tomorrow night.

Tierney though believes the Hoops can take heart from the fact Celtic have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight matches in all competitions.

He said: “If the gaffer thinks that’s what’s required then it’s required. In Europe you know you are going to get a hard game no matter where it is.

“Even in the qualifiers, in the rounds you are expected to win, you know you are still going to get a really tough game.

“There are no bad European sides, especially in the group stage with the teams we have.

“We know it will be really hard for us. Seven clean sheets in our last eight is a good stat although I’ve been told they are averaging about three goals a game. So it’s going to be really hard for us. But it’s a challenge we welcome.

“It’s the whole 11 who have kept the clean sheets. The strikers get all the glory for the goals but it’s the team that keeps clean sheets. It’s not just the back four who should get the credit – it’s the midfielders and the strikers too plus the keeper.”

Tierney was part of the groundstaff the last time the two sides met on Europa League duty in the group stage in 2014.

The Austrians triumphed 3-1 in Glasgow after Ronny Deila’s Celtic had earned a battling 2-2 draw in the away game.

Tierney added: “I’d have been just behind the dugout. I remember them.

“Some of the players have been talking about them, saying they were a really good side.

“I didn’t make the trip there for the 2-2 game as I was training so I was gutted. I’m really grateful for where I am.

“People are maybe expecting Champions League every year but the Europa League is another prestigious tournament and it’s an honour for me to be involved in it with Celtic.”

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