Winning Mentality

Kieran Tierney believes that Neil Lennon, along with his coaching staff, can steer the team to further success this season

- Tony Connelly

KIERAN Tierney’s Celtic journey so far reads like any great underdog story. Nothing has come easy for the player. Rather his path to Paradise has been paved with hard work, determination and an unwavering love for Celtic.

The Hoops defender recognises that same passion and commitment in the new Celtic managerial team and he believes it will be a key ingredient in getting the best from the champions.

Tierney has, first and foremost, always been a Celtic fan and, from a position where he wasn’t always a regular starter for the reserves, he continued to work his way through the ranks and into the hearts and minds of Celtic fans throughout the world, as well as establishing himself as a key figure for the first team.

The 21-year-old has a steely confidence about him that can, in an instant, break into a joyful laugh or, just as quickly, a stony, penetrating stare which he reserves for competition. You might expect such a demeanour from someone at the top of what is a fiercely competitive sport.

He has confidence, drive and ambition in abundance but he balances it with a modesty indicative of someone who has fought to get to where they are. That mixture of attributes results in the kind of man who can be found in the stands amongst his fellow Celtic fans when he is not on the pitch playing himself.

His modesty leads him to attribute credit for his success to the coaches who have helped him along the way. Coaches such as Martin Miller, who has not only helped bring through the Celtic left-back but also the likes of Callum McGregor and James Forrest.

Tierney cites Miller as one of the most important figures in his career. Miller continues to be a great servant to the club in the Academy system and though the two no longer work together, they remain close.

One figure who remains a constant daily presence in Tierney’s life each day in training is John Kennedy.