Humiliated on the Rock, but it’s only half time for Tierney
Young defender and lifelong fan admits his shame after last week’s shock of Gibraltar, but vows to make amends, writes Neil Cameron
AT least Kieran Tierney was embarrassed about what happened in Gibraltar and didn’t mind admitting it. Maybe it’s because the teenager is a supporter first, footballer second. Whatever it is, this impressive young man can see no need to hide from the fact he is still hurting to have been part of a Celtic team who lost a match in Europe to Lincoln Red Imps.
Brendan Rodgers probably thought he was doing the right thing by not having a go at his players after Tuesday night and then not biting when asked whether he was embarrassed by such a result.
It surely would have been better had the new Celtic manager conceded it wasn’t the best, that it was at least a bit embarrassing, and then hadn’t gone on radio the following day to claim his team hit the woodwork four times when they did so twice.
Tierney is an honest sort and was quite matter of fact when asked about what some supporters are calling the worst result in Celtic history.
“It is still hard to take in,” admitted Tierney. “It was not ideal, not what we wanted, but it has gone now and we are just focusing on the next leg and going through.
“We had to find our way back in and it just wasn’t our night. There are no excuses for us. We had a few chances but the ball didn’t go in the net. The surface was definitely the worst I have played on. But, again, we should still be winning. There are no excuses. Both teams played on it. I was just so gutted after it.
“That was the lowest I’ve felt. Was it worse than losing to Rangers? Erm, neck and neck I would say. You can’t lose either of those games, you hate to be beaten in either of these games. The thing is we had a good training camp for two weeks, we wanted to go there and put in a good performance but it didn’t happen. It was weird. It was one of those nights that can happen to anyone and it happened to us.
“We can put it right. It is half-time and we had a bad half out there. We have to play our best in the next half and give 100 per cent.”
Celtic will get it right on Wednesday night in the second leg, but they need to win by a lot. A 2-0 won’t do this time, not after a performance lacking heart and intelligence against the Gibraltan champions.
“The plan is to win convincingly,” Tierney said: “We need to go out there in the right mind-set to ensure we beat them and go through. Should we be scoring a lot? Yes, definitely.
Hopefully what I’m feeling right now is over next week.”
No finger pointing went on in the dressing room on the orders of Rodgers, which would have been good news for quite a few who could not have complained if they had been called out for their performance.
Tierney said: “The manager has been focusing on team unity, which is a good thing. After a defeat like that it is easy to blame others or go in a mood; however, he is looking for us to be positive, stay as a team and that is positive.”
Let’s stay with the positive. Tierney, superb in his rookie season, is not the type for settling with what he has achieved. The left-back is determined to improve.
He hardly put a foot wrong once he got into the side last time and while he was not at his best against Lincoln Red Imps, at least the youngest
person in the team went looking for the ball, rather than hoping someone else would do something.
Rodgers has liked what he has seen of the player. This should come as no surprise. Those inside the Celtic camp say the 19-year-old is one of the hardest workers on the training ground. He has spent time in the gym to beef up and is no trouble at all away from the field. He doesn’t even drink.
Tierney will be a marked man this season now the opposition know that if they can keep him quiet, that goes a long way to challenging this Celtic team.
“The manager has been great,” said Tierney. “He speaks to us all the time. It’s all positive. He tells us what to work on and that is great for everybody. The mood in there is brilliant.
“I probably have more to prove this season than the last one because I was new. All I can do is work hard.
Am I ready for that? Definitely. It’s a challenge every footballer faces in their second season. Hopefully I can go out there and prove myself again.
“I don’t set any targets. Success for me would be to maintain my place for Celtic, playing every week and playing well.”
Celtic fans do love it when one of their own is on the field and Tierney is looking forward to the return of a full stadium of home games.
He said: “That will be brilliant to have all those people behind you, cheering you on. There is also the new standing section as well, and there will be a lot of noise coming from there. The boys in the dressing room are buzzing about that. It is where I would be standing if I wasn’t a player – 100 per cent.”
Celtic supporters will be glad this one was good enough to make if off the terraces.
We had a few chances but the ball didn’t go in the net. The surface was definitely the worst I have played on. But, again, we should still be winning