One to watch: Celtic's 21-year-old full-back Kieran Tierney

By Stephen Ganavas

Kieran Tierney epitomises the roots of Celtic.

At the club since he was eight, the unassuming 21-year-old has established himself as Celtic’s first-choice left-back through a mix of both stylish and rugged football.

There is something about the Scottish international that harks back to bygone generations.

While the low socks and black boots of his debut season have since been replaced with more modern attire, Tierney still retains some of the hallmarks of an old-school left-back.

Play Style

Firstly, he has an unbelievable energy tank. It is undeniably key to his effectiveness both offensively and defensively.

Offensively, he can simply use it to out-work his marker in transition to create overloads out wide.

(Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Defensively, it can make up for positional short-comings and the speed of his acceleration can allow him to make second and third efforts to track players he is marking.

Even more old school is his willingness to slide tackle and the excellent timing of such manoeuvres.

His routine style can become predictable, but it is nonetheless effective.

Season Ahead

Tierney is unsurprisingly a target for Premier League clubs, but Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is keen to ensure his left-back remains concentrated on the season ahead.

“He is a good boy and I had a long chat with him just about keeping his focus really,” Rodgers told reporters this summer.

It would be difficult for anyone to question the commitment of Tierney to Celtic.

Expect him to again be a key figure as Celtic continue their quest for Champions League qualification and a third consecutive domestic treble.