Andy Walker has suggested that Kieran Tierney can be a “tremendous captain” for Celtic in the future, if he can overcome his ongoing injury issues.
The full-back has struggled with injuries throughout this season, and it was confirmed by Neil Lennon earlier in the week that he is expected to undergo surgery at the end of the season on a double hernia, as reported by the BBC.
But Walker has backed him to have a massive future with the Hoops, if he can put his woes behind him.
Speaking about Tierney’s availability for Saturday’s clash with Aberdeen on Sky Sports News (May 4th, 10.30am), Walker said: “A huge boost.
“I really hope he’s not struggling with any sort of issues. He’s played so many games, so often, for a young lad.
“Kieran Tierney fit and strong, what a tremendous captain and leader he can be for Celtic.”
OPINION
Walker is very probably on the money with this one. It feels as if Tierney has been around for an age already, and he’s still only 21. He certainly has everything you would expect from a future Hoops captain, and with Scott Brown approaching the end of his career then surely his time is coming. These constant injuries will be a worry for sure, but hopefully the surgery he is due for will help put a lot of those problems to bed and he can come back fitter and stronger than ever next year. The full-back is a force to be reckoned with when he is on full flow, and the sooner he can get back to that kind of fitness, the better for all concerned. Celtic have missed him this season, and you can bet that he will have missed being able to play week in, week out. The only thing standing between Tierney and a long, illustrious career at Parkhead are these constant niggles.