Tierney will have spent more than two months out of the Celtic side by the time the next Old Firm game rolls around.
Celtic coach John Kennedy has suggested that Kieran Tierney is unlikely to be ready to feature in the Old Firm game at the end of this month, Herald Scotland reports.
The left-back has not played since the end of October after undergoing ankle surgery, Herald Scotland reports, but has handed Brendan Rodgers a boost ahead of the Christmas period by returning to training this week.
Celtic’s Kieran Tierney in action with Borussia Monchengladbach’s Oscar Wendt
However, Kennedy has suggested that the clash with Rangers on Hogmanay will come too soon for the 19-year-old and it is much more likely that he will be back in the New Year.
“I’d doubt it,” he said, as reported by Herald Scotland, when asked about whether Tierney will be back to face the Gers.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
“He’s had surgery and there is a programme there for him to work to, so I’d expect to see him more in January.”
The Hoops will certainly be making the smart decision to rest the academy graduate if he is showing signs of not being ready to return, especially given the emotional and physical demands of an Old Firm game.
The decision to seemingly rush Scott Brown back last term seemed to cost them as the captain looked out of sorts for the rest of the campaign.
And with the title already looking destined for Parkhead, it makes little sense to take a risk on Tierney – especially with Emilio Izaguirre proving a solid understudy – as it may ultimately have an impact on the youngster’s development in the short-term.
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