DOMESTIC BLISS
Two years, six trophies, one match made in heaven. Brendan Rodgers and Celtic are enjoying...
FIFTY days and counting. While Kieran Tierney will take time to savour Celtic’s newly acquired place in history, the next challenge is always looming on the horizon.
The Parkhead club return to competitive action in the Champions League first qualifying round on July 10/11. After reaching the group stage for the last two seasons, Brendan Rodgers’ side will be striving to achieve another kind of treble.
Tierney knows the task will be tougher than ever before. Four rounds have to be negotiated. Eight games crammed within eight successive midweeks. Mental and physical strength will be tested as Celtic seek to bank another £30million to bolster their position of financial dominance.
The left-back — rested for Scotland’s post-season friendlies in Peru and Mexico — will therefore seek to return to Lennoxtown with his batteries fully recharged.
‘Yes, we need to get into the Champions League, that’s what we want to do,’ said Tierney.
‘It’s going to be tough, there’s eight games right at the start of the season. I don’t think people realise how hard that is, our biggest games are coming right at the start.
‘I’ve got a few weeks off to go and relax and enjoy those when it comes.’
Tierney (right) doesn’t need anyone to explain the full significance of winning unprecedented back-to-back Trebles.
Immersed in Celtic’s history from an early age, the 20-year-old celebrated joyously with the club’s supporters after Saturday’s 2-0 Scottish Cup final success over Motherwell at Hampden.
‘People don’t realise how hard it is to be consistent,’ he argued.
‘Over the past two years we’ve won six trophies domestically. That’s never been done before and the boys deserve a lot of credit for it.
‘There is relief, joy, happiness, there are so many emotions. It was a big game with a lot of pressure on us. All the pressure is on us going into cup finals like this, the expectation is there and again we dealt with it.
‘The double Treble has never been done in history. As a team we’ve managed to do it — and I’m just very grateful and honoured to be a part of this wonderful team.’
Tierney also rejects the idea that Celtic’s sizeable advantage in resources, bolstered by Champions League money, should be a caveat against their achievement.
‘It’s 11 against 11 and you need to go out there and win the game,’ he insisted.
‘This season has been brilliant. We got through the Champions League group into the Europa League, we won the League Cup, we won the league and we’ve done the Treble. So it doesn’t get much better than this.’ Numerous clubs would be keen to lure Tierney away from Parkhead this summer. Atletico Madrid watched him at Hampden, while Manchester United, Tottenham and Bournemouth have also been tracking his progress.
He accepts the point made by Rodgers, who said last week that an impossible-torefuse offer may arise one day. But there is no rush towards that point.
‘I saw what the manager said, that if I move it has to be best for both parties; the club and me,’ added Tierney.
‘But he said it’s not the time now and I’m not thinking about it, either. So I’m just happy playing here. You can see that I play with a smile on my face, I train with a smile on my face and that’s what happiness is.’
While Tierney will be heading off on holiday, defensive colleague Kristoffer Ajer is hoping to cement his place in the Norway side.
The 20-year-old made his senior international debut earlier this year and has been included in the squad to face Iceland and Panama early next month.
‘I will have a nice week off before I join up with the national squad,’ said Ajer. ‘Then I will have time for some relaxation after that in Norway.
‘I don’t think the manager was concerned for me to join up with Norway. It is a bit different for the Scotland boys (going to Peru and Mexico) as they have a lot of travelling to do.
‘I have a game in Iceland, which is only half an hour away on a flight, and then we play at home in Oslo.
‘I can understand where Celtic are coming from because we have played a lot of games this season.’
Ajer was thrilled to crown his breakthrough season with a place in the record books, but insists he has to take another leap forward next season.
‘You need to keep progressing,’ added Ajer, who has switched from the midfield role he played with IK Start in his homeland.
‘But next year is another perfect opportunity. This is a great club to learn and improve.
‘The level at Celtic was completely different from what I was used to before. It was hard to adapt and to adapt to a new role. But the gaffer and his staff really helped me a lot.
‘It has been a really professional season from the squad.
‘To be part of this and to play so many games has been incredible for me. It really means a lot.’