Tierney wears love for Celtic on his sleeve... and his back on a well-earned break in Spain

TALKING CELTIC

IT’S the question every parent of a Celtic superstar must ask themselves. What do you get someone who earns more money than he’ll ever know what to do with for his Christmas?

In t he case of Kieran Tierney, well, a Celtic top. Obviously.

While Brendan Rodgers’ players jetted off around the world to various lavish and luxurious destinations, it was the sight of the 20-year-old on holiday with his family that grabbed the most attention.

While Stuart Armstrong holidayed in Manhattan with Ryan Christie and team-mates such as James Forrest flew out early to catch some sunshine here in Dubai at Celtic’s stunning five-star resort, pictures of their young left-back cutting about Tenerife wearing a vintage Celtic top, while making a guest appearance at a Celtic pub, brought a smile to the faces of those admirers of the innocence of the lad from Motherwell.

“To be fair, I asked for that top for Christmas. That was the only thing I could think of,” laughed Tierney, providing an explanation for his outfit choice during his week off.

“It was the CR Smith centenary year strip. Before Christmas they always bring stuff in from people for you to sign. I saw this t-shirt and thought, ‘This one is a belter!’ so I tried it on and said, ‘Right get me one of them for Christmas’.

“It was someone my mum knew that I’d to sign it for, so I just said get me one of them because it’s decent. It’s a nice top. That’s the story behind it.

“I got a bit of slagging for it! Do people not know I’m a Celtic fan? Every interview I mention I’m a Celtic fan then I get slagged for wearing a Celtic top. But you deal with it. It was a Celtic pub. I’ve been to Tenerife a few times and I’ve always gone to see them and I said I’d go again this time. They asked me to pop in so it was good to see the fans as well.

“I think it is very important. I said to the owner of the bar that if I was a Celtic fan on holiday and a Celtic player was coming, I’d be buzzing about it.

“So if I have that opportunity to do that for somebody, I’d do it.

“I’m not saying it is going to make anyone’s holiday, but if it makes them happy for that day, I’ll do it.”

TO reveal Tierney’s Celtic allegiance these days is similar to announcing the world is round or that Mr Kipling has a knack for producing an exceedingly good fairy cake.

Ever since he first burst into the first-team squad – sporting a set of green braces – his affection for the club he now represents is beyond doubt.

In the Scottish Cup final last year it’s a wonder his jaw didn’t bleed green after he was clattered by Aberdeen’s Jayden Stockley. Even when speaking at Celtic’s hotel in Dubai during his down time, the young defender is sitting sporting a pair of green shorts and a white top as he explains how he is living the dream.

“I’ve never seen it as work,” he explains. “It’s hard at times when you are growing up and you are having to get up at 6am to go to the school Celtic send you to and you don’t even play at the weekend.

“It is hard but it makes you mentally tougher and it helps me now I’m getting older to deal with different situations you are put in.

“I hope [the day it stops feel-

I got a bit of slagging for it. Do people not know I’m a Celtic fan?

ing like this] never comes. If I’m looking up to Broony [Scott Brown] he doesn’t call it work either. He just loves football – playing and training – so hopefully I can aspire to be like him.

“There are moments I pinch myself. Even in Tenerife there’s maybe 100 or so people there to see me with just around an hour’s notice. The guy put it on social media, it killed me! I got about 100 rounds!

“For people to come and see you when they are on their holidays to take time out, it’s crazy.”

TIERNEY’S love and appreciation for the dream he now lives should not be mistaken for naivety.

This is a young man who is more than accomplished at the role he’s performing. After going from a teenager thrown in as a substitute against Dundee almost three years ago, he’s already captained his club and his country, not to mention on that occasion they were playing the Netherlands last year.

His consistency, reliability,