The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Celtic defender Kieran Tierney cannot wait for the Champions League action to start after the Scottish champions were drawn to face Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Munchengladbach.
Defender warns that Celtic will not just be there to make up numbers
Kieran Tierney believes Celtic will face “three great teams” in the Champions League, but insists the Hoops are not there to make up the numbers.
The 19-year-old defender was at Celtic Park for the group stage draw and watched the Scottish champions drawn in Group C alongside Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach.
Celtic qualified for the first time in three seasons with a 5-4 aggregate win over Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva and their last game in European football’s elite club competition ended in a 6-1 defeat in the Nou Camp.
Tierney, who missed the 3-1 loss to the Catalan giants in the International Champions Cup match in Dublin in July, has been a long-time admirer of Barca, but is determined to help Brendan Rodgers’ side get into the knock-out stages.
The Scotland international said: “It is a great draw, three great teams. That is why you are in the Champions League, to play the best.
“People asked me who I wanted, but I really didn’t mind because you are going to get three great teams and six great games.
“I have always thought that (Barca are the best team in world) with Lionel Messi and players like that.
“Growing up, it was brilliant to watch them and now hopefully I can play against them.
“It is the biggest competition and we are delighted to be there, but we are not just there to make up the numbers.
“It is going to be very, very tough, but we have to stay positive, do our work on the training field and you never know what can happen.”
Tierney came through the Parkhead youth system and is well known for being a ball boy on the night four years ago – November 7 2012 – when Tony Watt scored what was ultimately the winner in a dramatic 2-1 victory over Barcelona.
Asked about his memories of that game, he said: “I remember sitting in the corner with a ball in my hand, just looking at the ball and thinking, ‘This is brilliant’, and four years later I am dying to play in a game like that.
“I missed out on that game in Ireland, so it will be a first for me and I am really looking forward to it.
“Qualifying is the hard part, we got through six games and we did well to get through, so it is now about focusing on the group.”
“It could’ve been easier” said Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell, speaking to BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound.
“There’s some real glamour ties in there – some really great nights ahead at Celtic Park.
“I don’t think they will be relishing coming to us with the supporters, the atmosphere, the occasion we put on there.
“We will attempt to get one more player in before next Wednesday’s (transfer) deadline.”
Celtic open their campaign with a trip to the Nou Camp on Tuesday September 13 before hosting Pep Guardiola’s City on Wednesday September 28.
A double-header with Borussia follows – with the home game first – on October 19 and November 1 before Celtic host Barca on November 23 and a trip to the Etihad on December 6.