Kieran Tierney would have been breathing a sigh of relief over the weekend.
Not because Celtic beat Partick Thistle in their League Cup quarter-final – that was expected – but getting through 90 minutes of football.
Tierney has had several injury issues since leaving Celtic for Arsenal in 2019, and that cloud was above his head when he returned as a free agent this summer.
What probably added to Tierney’s anxiety is the fact that he had yet to complete 90 minutes since returning, but he can now chalk that off.
Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty ImagesKieran Tierney’s actions for the last ten minutes against Partick Thistle
Charlie Mulgrew was working for Premier Sports, and he was pitchside at Firhill, so he got to see Tierney up close and personal.
During the final ten minutes of the match, Mulgrew stated that you could see Tierney ‘breathing a bit’, and seemingly having ‘one eye’ on, hoping his muscles don’t give way, as he told Go Radio.
But thankfully, for the player, it all panned out perfectly.
Last time Tierney completed 90 minutes (club only): Copa del Rey, Real Sociedad vs Osasuna, 2-0 win, January 17, 2024
“I see him chasing one down in the last ten minutes,” stated Mulgrew.
“I was right there watching the game, so you could see him breathing a bit. You could see maybe one eye on, hope this muscle is going to be alright. The way he is sprinting.
“So, the confidence he will take from that, you could also see the relief in him after the game to think, ‘I have got through that. I am strong enough.’ You begin to gain that confidence in your own body, which is crazy to say because he is a professional training every day.”
Will Tierney return to the top level with Celtic?
Let’s be honest, Tierney hasn’t looked like his old, powerful self, and something just seems to be missing.
But this is where patience is needed, Tierney, and with continued starts and minutes under his belt, hopefully, that spark will return to his game.
Mulgrew is banking on it happening; that’s why he thinks the Scotland international will take ‘confidence’ from completing 90 minutes.
“Yeah, he needed that,” said Mulgrew. “He needed to show himself that he can get through those 90 minutes.
“I know what it’s like with muscle injuries, it takes time to get that bit of confidence. He is still a wee bit away from two games a week. 90 minutes back-to-back.
“But if he builds himself up, there is no reason why he can’t get to that level. He is far too big an investment to take any risks with, in terms of how much wages he would demand to come back. He has been a huge signing. A huge player for Celtic.”