Tierney kept grounded by training ground traditions

Although he has been very impressive for Celtic this season, Kieran Tierney isn’t safe from the training ground traditions.

The 18-year-old has burst onto the scene and lit up the imaginations of Celtic fans about the future of the club with the likes of Tierney coming through the ranks.

Some of his youth team mates including Aidan Nesbitt are tipped to have very bright futures at the club, making the journey from the youth team to the first team.

Yesterday, Tierney spoke to the media following the fourth round Scottish Cup draw, as Celtic were drawn away to Stranraer in January.

As quoted by the Scotsman he said:

It’s still hard to take in for me. I just see myself as still being a Celtic fan. I just need to appreciate every moment I have with the first team and make the most of it.

I’m used to the surrounds of Parkhead because when you’re a supporter you’re there every other week, but going out there as a player is amazing, with all the fans singing is great.

I’ve worked so hard to play for Celtic and have supported them all my life, so it’s a dream to play for them.

Despite his esteemed performances in the Hoops jersey, he still changes with the youth squad – which helps keep him grounded. Even though he has filled the boots of Emilio Izaguirre this season, he still cleans the Honduran’s – and every other first team player’s boots.

I’m training with the first team every day and I trained with them last season. I’m there all the time and talking to them all and getting involved in everything they do, so that’s good.

The youngest have to clean the boots, so if I’m the youngest I have to clean the boots and get the balls. That’s all good for me.

As a fan and now a first team player, Tierney is all too aware of the expectations fans have of Celtic this season.

The treble is the aim for everyone at Celtic. We need to work hard, there will be a lot of games for us to do that and we need to be ready for them.