Davie Provan has hailed Celtic left back Kieran Tierney.
Alex McLeish – Aberdeen and Davie Provan – Celtic in action
Pundit Davie Provan has told Sky Sports that he feels Celtic left back Kieran Tierney has now proven that he can play in the Champions League.
Tierney was on the bench for Scotland on Saturday evening as Gordon Strachan’s men drew 1-1 with Lithuania at Hampden Park, with Hull City’s Andrew Robertson handed the start at left back.
Kieran Tierney celebrates scoring for Celtic
Still, the fact that Tierney in contention shows just how far he has come over the last year, having established himself as a key member of the Celtic starting line-up now.
The Isle of Man-born defender displaced Emilio Izaguirre as Celtic’s first-choice left back last season, and has continued to kick on and develop this term.
Tierney’s performances not only in the league, but also in the Champions League against Europe’s elite, appear to have triggered major interest, as The Sun recently reported that both Arsenal and Manchester City are both keen to sign the teenager.
Celtic’s Kieran Tierney celebrates winning the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership
At 19, Tierney appears to have a huge future ahead of him, but just how much of it Celtic will see is in question, and a move to the Premier League may enhance his chances of displacing Robertson in the Scotland side.
His regular playing time in the top flight of English football appears to give him an edge over Tierney and Rangers’ Lee Wallace in Strachan’s plans – but Tierney has been praised by former Celtic and Scotland ace Davie Provan.
Kieran Tierney celebrates
The pundit told Sky Sports that he feels Scotland are ‘very fortunate’ to have Tierney as their long-term option at let back, and feels the linked-away defender has now proven himself as a Champions League-level defender – even though he was part of a Celtic side that have conceded 10 goals in two Champions League games this season.
“In the longer-term, I think we’re very fortunate we have Kieran Tierney now,” said Provan. “He’s proving that, not only can we he play at SPFL level, but he’s gone into the Champions League, stepped up a grade and proved the can do it there as well,” he added.
Do you think Tierney is Scotland’s long-term answer at left back?
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