The Scottish Premiership side begin their Champions League campaign in the Nou Camp.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers has explained that it would only be natural if Celtic star Kieran Tierney was feeling apprehensive ahead of the Hoops’ Champions League bow with Barcelona on Tuesday night, the Telegraph reports.
The Hoops have arguably been handed the toughest opening game of any side in the competition as they travel to the Nou Camp to face Luis Enrique’s men.
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique
And while the lack of pressure on the Bhoys may allow them to go and play against the Catalan giants with no fear, Rodgers has conceded that there is a sense of nervousness amongst his ranks, singling out the academy graduate as a player who is particularly feeling the heat.
“Kieran Tierney is 19 years of age, so it’s only natural that he should be apprehensive,” he told the Telegraph.
Celtic’s Kieran Tierney
“Coming from Motherwell and then into the Nou Camp – he can’t believe it. And after the biggest result of his life against Rangers last weekend, he now finds himself up against Messi. We’re human beings here.”
Though the 19-year-old has featured on the European stage before, this will undoubtedly be the toughest test he has faced during his career by a considerable distance.
Tierney not only provides the centre-backs with a tremendous amount of defensive support, but he is also often seen providing an option in the final third after making a blistering run down the line that asks another question of opposition defenders.
But with arguably the best front three in the world lining up against him on Tuesday, Tierney will surely have to show a huge amount of discipline, and his decision making will have to be at its best.
Any forward runs he makes could leave the defence vulnerable, so he will have to be sure that he is pressing up the pitch at the right time.
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