Celtic manager Ronny Deila has insisted that Kieran Tierney is different as the left-back is solid defensively, a trait which is rare amongst today’s full-backs.
The 18-year-old was named by Scotland boss Gordon Strachan in his team to play Denmark in a friendly at Hampden on 29th March, following his impressive displays for Celtic in the present campaign.
Tierney, who made his senior debut for Celtic last season, with the starlet making one more first team appearance in the 2014/15 campaign, has been used more heavily by the Scottish champions this term.
The defender has provided five assists in 24 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops this season.
And Deila, who explained that he is most impressed with Tierney’s defensive aspects, however, stated that the youngster also has it in him to improve his game going forward.
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But the manager was quick to add that Tierney still has plenty of room for development as he urged the Scot to keep working hard.
“He’s different because he’s very good defensively”, he said in his pre-Kilmarnock press conference yesterday.
“Full-backs nowadays are better offensively, but he has good defensive aspects. He needs to develop his game offensively.
“But he has legs to go both ways and he has the ability to reach very high heights.
“His attitude has also been very, very good, he is always curious to learn and he’s always looking to work hard.
“When you put these two things together, he has a bright future.
“But he has a long way to go reach the level we’re talking about, but he keeps working hard, everything is possible.”
Tierney, whose present contract with Celtic runs until 2019, is a product of the club’s youth system.
