Kieran Tierney – Defender (Arsenal) – 7/10
Aberdeen v Celtic – Brendan Rodgers and Kieran Tierney after the Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie on 10 August 2025. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI (IMAGO)
The homecoming story of the summer has been a slow burn, but no surprise there. Tierney’s body has been through too many stops and starts to expect instant fireworks. Aside from one full 90-minute outing, he’s been eased back carefully, which is only sensible.
Kieran Tierney of Celtic Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 Aug 2025Almaty Almaty Central Stadium Kazakhstan Photo Nikita Bassov/Shutterstock
Physically and mentally, the recovery from repeated injuries is a marathon. Still, when he plays, the quality shows, the overlapping drive, the defensive timing, the leadership. Celtic must remain patient. Tierney will get there. He always does. The real reward will come later in the season when match sharpness and confidence finally align. Or perhaps if Celtic shift to a back 3.
