Celtic full-back Kieran Tierney has revealed that he will be fit for Saturday’s Scottish Cup final against Hearts.
The 21-year-old has been in and out of the team this season, appearing regularly before the turn of the year before being blighted with injury problems.
The 12-time Scotland international – who also has surgery on a double hernia scheduled for later this month – last played when the Hoops clinched their eighth-successive Premiership title in a 3-0 win over Aberdeen, but missed both fixtures either side of that game due to hip and groin injuries respectively.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, however, Tierney declared that he will be ready for the second meeting with Hearts in less than a week.
“I have been training the last two days and that is the hard two days. I think I have coped quite well with that so it is positive going into the game,” the left-back said.
“I would love to go away with Scotland but unfortunately the operation is booked for a few days after the cup final so that would rule me out. I think most people are within three and six weeks (out) so it is not too bad.
“You are frustrated, you want to make an impression with the new manager but I have to think of myself long-term as well.
“The first half of the season was great for me. I played most games up until Christmas and then after that it was in and out with injuries but that’s what happens in football.”
OPINION
It has been such a frustrating season for Tierney due to his injuries. He was fantastic before Christmas, appearing in all of the first 16 Premiership games and chipping in with five assists for his teammates. The 21-year-old then suffered one of two hip injuries this season which kept him out from early December until mid-February. Tierney was then back in the team for a little while before his second hip injury. To make matters worse, he will be out for a further three to six weeks after groin surgery. But the left-back has to think of his health first, and the operation will mean he can go into next season more focused and raring to go, putting this term behind him and starting afresh. For this season, at least, Tierney has one last opportunity to impress and will surely not pass it up as the Bhoys bid to complete the historic treble treble. If there is one game Tierney would not want to miss, it is this one.