KT: FORGET PSG AND LET’S GET PHYSICAL

KT calls for focus on final with Well

KIERAN TIERNEY has backed Celtic to withstand the physical onslaught they will face from his hometown team Motherwell in Sunday’s Betfred Cup Final at Hampden. The Fir Park side make no secret of the combative nature of their play, a tactic which has helped them reach their first national final for six years.

While the likes of Ryan Bowman have been known to cross the line from time to time – the striker caught the Scotland full back with a high boot at Parkhead last season, and was lucky to stay on the pitch for two flying elbows in the semi-final

against Rangers, incidents which saw Brendan Rodgers claim that the Fir Park striker endangers opponents – Tierney isn’t the type to take a backward step either.

The 20-year-old feels the Parkhead side have the attributes to cope with whatever their opponents will throw at them.

“Everyone knows about the tackle he [Bowman] made on me,” said Tierney. “I don’t think he meant it and I wouldn’t like to think he meant it.

“Motherwell are a strong and physical team but we have shown over the past season and a bit that we can stand up to all the different challenges that are put in front us.

“We know they are an in-form team. You don’t go up to Aberdeen and beat them 2-0 if you are not a good team. They will be going in fresh and really confident and we know it will be a tough game.”

Another willing, physical runner who Tierney must contend with on Sunday is his old school friend Chris Cadden, who is likely to match up with him on the same flank.

“I saw his interview,” said Tierney. “He said he wouldn’t be texting me! No, Chris is a good player who has done very well and I think he is closing in on 100 games as well. If he is playing on the right and I am on the left then we could be up against each other, so that would be interesting.”

Cup finals to date haven’t been kind to Tierney. He missed this one last year – even though he ended up with a medal for playing the previous rounds – due to injury, and didn’t last long in the Scottish Cup final either – departing the scene for some emergency dental work after being caught by a swinging Jayden Stockley arm and having to sprint back to lift the trophy.

“I haven’t had much luck with injuries around cup finals. This was the first trophy the gaffer won for us last year and I missed it but I am looking forward to it this time.

“To miss the final I was gutted but the team won it and that is all that matters to me.

“Hopefully I can train well over the next couple of games and be ready for the game.”