Left-back Kieran Tierney has suffered a frustrating end to the Scottish Premiership season with Celtic.
John Hartson has told Celtic to avoid taking a risk with the fitness of star man Kieran Tierney, as reported by the Evening Times.
The academy graduate was enjoying another fine season at Parkhead, making 39 appearances in all competitions, before suffering a series of injury problems since the turn of the year.
Tierney missed 11 games with a hip injury over the spring and is now at risk of missing the final few weeks of the campaign, including a cup final date with Hearts, after picking up a pelvis problem.
Interim manager Neil Lennon confirmed over the weekend, as reported by the Daily Record, that the 21-year-old could be in need of surgery though a decision may be delayed until the end of the season.
But Hartson believes that Celtic cannot afford to worsen Tierney’s injuries as he looks to return to his usual top level as soon as possible.
“Tierney is such a huge player for Celtic, the main man really, so I understand that they will be desperate to get him onto the pitch whenever they can,” said the former Hoops striker.
“With Neil Lennon admitting at the weekend though that he may have to go under the knife to sort out the discomfort in his pelvis, it is only right now that they wrap him in cotton wool and make sure he is fit and raring to go for next season.
“He attacks every game and every training session at 100 percent, and he is the type of boy who would run through a brick wall just to play for Celtic, but for his own good, it is time for him to have a break. He can be a top player well into his thirties if handled correctly, and he has to think about the long-term.”
Hartson is spot on. Celtic have all but wrapped up an eighth successive Scottish Premiership title already and should be confident of beating Hearts in the Cup final at Hampden Park, regardless of whether or not Tierney is fit to play.
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