Ruairi Daly 
Jeff Holmes/Getty Images Sport
Kieran Tierney has been hailed in the same light as Real Madrid academy star Martin Odegaard by Ronny Deila.
The 18-year-old left-back has grown in leaps and bounds since the opening day of the season against Ross County – and has made 16 starts this season in the Hoops.
Deila has even gone as far to say the youngster deserves a call-up to the Scotland team for their upcoming friendlies against the Czech Republic and Denmark in March in preparation for World Cup 2018 qualifiers.
As quoted by the Scotsman, he said:
He is ready for the international team. He shows every day that he has a very high level. It’s not up to me if he plays for Scotland, but I would have no problem putting him into any Champions League or Europa League game.
The positive of being a young player at Celtic is you can judge yourself against some of the best players in Scotland, who maybe have 50 caps for their countries. If you can handle that, like KT has, then I don’t think you are so far away from playing for Scotland.
Tierney’s rise through the ranks at Celtic is a testament to his commitment to his Bhoyhood club and he was rewarded with a four-year contract earlier this season for his dedication.
He recovered from a broken leg in a freak accident that happened just 24-hours after making the Celtic teamsheet for the first time to make his debut in April.
Now, he is a fan favourite and quickly growing in stature in the Hoops team – and building a reputation at the Lennoxtown training ground for his work ethic.
KT is special. He is so determined. He is always the first into training in the morning. He asks the physical department about what programme he should be doing that week. Then he asks the medical department and does everything they ask at 100 per cent.
Then, when he gets onto the pitch at Lennoxtown, it is like the World Cup final every time he trains. He is just 100 per cent with everything. He just loves playing football and he does all the extra things.
Ronny Deila handed 17-year-old Odegaard his first start at Stromsgodset and went on to become a star player in the Norwegian league and has eight caps already for his national side.
Arguably the most talked about and sought after youngster off all time, Odegaard moved to Real Madrid in January 2015
I remember Martin making his debut for us when he was just 14 and he was headline news in every Norwegian paper the next day.
He wants to learn and get better. KT and him are very similar and are examples to follow. Nothing comes for free in football, you have to work really hard.
With the world at his feet, Tierney looks set for a very bright future for Scotland and Celtic.
Eric Knott 
Aodhán Ó Conchobhair 
Site Staff 
