TIERNEY BRUSHES OFF BATTERING AFTER MORE SUCCESS

CUP FINAL opponents Motherwell did not go easy on Kieran Tierney — but at least there was no requirement for a hospital dash. Floored by an errant elbow from Aberdeen’s Jayden Stockley that forced him out of last season’s Scottish Cup final and into an ambulance, Tierney barely made it back for the trophy presentation as Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic completed their first domestic Treble.

He took some rough treatment yesterday, but nothing that was going to subdue a swashbuckling performance on the left flank.

Operating as a de facto winger, the 20-year-old (left) was outstanding as Celtic became the first team to secure back-to-back Trebles.

‘At least I’ll be able to remember the final this time!’ he joked.

‘Last year was different for its own reasons, but the outcome was the same. We won the cup and that’s all that matters.

‘The first half I got a few kicks but that’s all right. As long as there’s no elbows in the mouth we’re all good.’

With Tierney and James Forrest stationed high and wide, Motherwell struggled to operate their high-pressing game and were overcome by first-half goals from Callum McGregor and Olivier Ntcham.

‘I like playing that far forward,’ he reflected. ‘It allows me to get in behind and put over a few crosses. I played a part in the second goal which was great.

‘It’s just whatever is going to help the team the most. The manager thought that system would work and it did. You saw Motherwell having to change their system 20 minutes in.’

A Motherwell native, Tierney admits to being bemused by some of the opposition’s heavy challenges — both Richard Tait and Liam Grimshaw were booked for clattering into the Scotland cap — but took the attention as a compliment.

‘They must not like me,’ he laughed. ‘Imagine I’d gone back to Motherwell with

them winning the cup. But I’ve won it and can go back happy.

‘This has got to be up at the top. It’s never been done before, just like the Invincible Treble last year. To go and follow that up with another Treble is magnificent.

‘It’s history. Nobody’s ever done it before and there’s a reason for that — it’s tough to keep that consistency over two years but we’ve managed it.’

A summer of speculation around Tierney seems inevitable. Despite signing a new six-year contract earlier in the campaign, he has been linked with moves to Bournemouth and Tottenham.

Rodgers has admitted that, at some stage, the riches on offer south of the border will turn the player’s head.

The full-back insists he may not be around forever but is giving no thought to moving for now.

‘I don’t have a decision to make,’ he said. ‘I’ve signed here for six years. You never know what can happen, but I’m really happy here.’

Tierney participated in his loud-hailer celebration with fans after full-time and would have been in among them had he not been playing.

‘You can’t imagine how happy I am,’ he said. ‘It’s special, something that’s very close to me. I love it.’