Andreas Hinkel is hearing a lot of positive things about Celtic full-back Kieran Tierney.
Tierney has undoubtedly established himself as the best left-back in the Scottish Premiership, and has recently become a regular member of the Scotland squad, often featuring on the right-hand side of the defence and generally doing well given that it is not his favoured role.
And what is particularly exciting about the 20-year-old is that he should only get better as he gets older and gains even more experience both domestically and in the Champions League. And Hinkel – who spent nearly four years on the Hoops’ books before leaving in 2011, and is now the head coach of Stuttgart II – suggested that Tierney is a player he frequently hears about.
“I think it is a good thing when a player who has been at a club from a young age gets into the first team. It means that he has a relationship with the club and cares about how they do. It is about more than money. The supporters like to see that as well.”
It would certainly not be a surprise if Hinkel soon does not need to get in contact with people he met during his time at Parkhead to find out how Tierney is getting on, as his reputation is arguably growing with almost every game that he plays.
The academy graduate seems to be capable of rising to virtually every challenge put in front of him, and has already captained the side when Scott Brown has been absent.
And if Celtic continue to put up a brave fight during their Champions League campaign, you would imagine that Tierney will come out of the group-stages with his reputation significantly enhanced.
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