Scoring goals is great but we need to keep clean sheets
SAYS KIERAN TIERNEY
FOR Celtic, 21 goals conceded in the first 13 matches of the Brendan Rodgers era is a figure inflated by the Champions League mauling in Barcelona.
Even taking away that 7-0 Nou Camp humiliation, though, there is clearly still a case to be answered by the porous Parkhead defence.
Forgetting that night of torment against Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, 14 goals have been shipped in 12 games, with Celtic yet to keep a clean sheet in the league in five attempts this season.
The two that Rodgers’ men have mustered came against Motherwell in the Betfred Cup and Lincoln Red Imps in a Champions League qualifier.
Of course, the firepower of Moussa Dembele, Scott Sinclair and Leigh Griffiths has glossed over any defensive deficiencies as Celtic have enjoyed a terrific start to the domestic season.
Yet, while loving life in Rodgers’ ultra attack-minded unit, left-back Kieran Tierney admits he won’t be truly happy until the clean sheets start stacking up.
‘Is the goals conceded column the one big thing that needs to improve? Yes, 100 per cent,’ said the gifted 19-year-old ahead of tonight’s visit of Alloa in the quarter-final of the Betfred Cup.
‘We are looking to keep as many clean sheets as possible. It (conceding goals) is something we are looking to put an end to.
‘Even if you win a match 5-1, you would still rather it had been 5-0. Also, I just feel if you keep lots of clean sheets, then that sends out a message. Hopefully, we can start doing that soon.
‘Yes, the guys up front are more than likely to score goals but if we could keep clean sheets, too, it would be better.
‘That way, even if you are not having a great day, you score one goal and win the match.
‘Yes, it’s great to play in an attacking team and, if I can provide assists and goals, then that’s great.
‘As a full-back, you are also judged on assists — but my priority is defending.
‘If you are in the starting line-up, then in training you will be on the same side as the rest of the defence. That means you have a week to work on things.
‘I suppose it does take time if you have not played with each other a lot but, hopefully, it will click for us soon.’
After the euphoric high of beating Rangers 5-1 at Celtic Park then the low of being crushed by Barcelona, Celtic conceded late in Inverness on Sunday as Caley Thistle scratched out a surprising 2-2 draw.
It has been a rollercoaster week and the Champions League circus comes to town next midweek with the visit of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
But Tierney insists Celtic won’t take their eye off the ball and will be approaching the Alloa fixture the same way they would a glamour European tie.
The teenager even had a cautionary tale for his team-mates before facing the in-form League One side.
He was just a ball boy at the time, but he remembers Arbroath leaving Celtic Park with a 1-1 draw in the Scottish Cup in December 2012, although his favourites won 1-0 in the replay at Gayfield.
‘From the Rangers game until now, it has been a bit up and down,’ Tierney nodded. ‘But that’s what can happen in football. We just need to kick on now and get results.
‘We have to approach every game the same and be 100-per-cent committed.
‘It’s a big game for Alloa and they have had a great start to the season and are currently sitting top of the table.
‘They will be wanting to get promotion to the Championship. They’re not going to come here and lie down. It’s going to be a good game. And it will be a dangerous game if we are not careful.
‘We’ve seen that before against Arbroath. Anything can happen.’
Tierney is now relishing his role as first-choice left-back at Celtic Park, a year after first cementing his place under Ronny Deila.
He senses a little more expectation on his shoulders in his second season, but feels confident he can handle the burden.
Helping secure the first trophy of the Rodgers era is the immediate goal and a win tonight would see Celtic through to the semi-finals.
While Tierney may be too young to remember the old League Cup finals taking place in November, he welcomes a return to that tradition.
‘That’s me been in the team a year now,’ he said. ‘I think some people forget that I’m still a young lad.
‘A year ago, I was just a young boy coming into the team. Maybe I had a bit more freedom but now everyone knows who I am and they expect me to play well. Expectations are higher, but that’s what every footballer has to deal with.
‘I want to keep pushing myself. I was gutted after we drew at Inverness and I am hard on myself after we lose. I don’t want to make the same mistakes. I want to learn from them.
‘But I’m enjoying my football and it would be great to get the manager his first piece of silverware.
‘The final is early this year, although I’m too young to remember it being played in November in the past.
‘But it would be good for everyone’s confidence to get a trophy won before Christmas.’