Kieran Tierney has heaped praise on modern Celtic legends James Forrest and Callum McGregor. The pair are expected to be involved in some capacity as Brendan Rodgers’ side travel to Ibrox to face Rangers on Sunday.
Speaking to Sun Sport, Tierney believes that both players could have left the club and enjoyed success elsewhere; however, the Real Sociedad defender is pleased that they remained at the club referring to them as ‘modern-day heroes’.
“Callum’s an amazing player. There’s no doubt in my mind he will have had offers to leave — and 100 per cent he could have gone to England or abroad and been a big success.
“I’m sure there will also have been a time when James had options to move. He would have done well elsewhere, too.
“But they both chose to stay — and from a Celtic point of view, I’m delighted they did.
“They are the modern-day heroes for the club, especially for people like me when I was growing up.
“I keep in touch with both, maybe more so Cal. I was really close to him as I was coming up at the club. He broke through before me, and it was later on that season that I got my debut.”
Tierney focused on Forrest, who has moved into a more peripheral figure over the last couple of years, reminding people of the achievements that the Academy product has amassed during his 14 years at the club.
“By the time I made my debut for Celtic in 2015, James had already been in the team for five years and made 100 appearances. He scored on his debut and kicked on from that.
“James is a Celtic legend for all that he’s done at the club. I mean, over 100 goals and 100 assists is incredible, while he’s also one of the most successful players in its history.
“Yet, a more modest person you’ll not meet.”
Tierney continued by saying that the Celtic captain and seasoned winger are great examples for the players coming through the club’s academy given the successes that they have enjoyed at the club.
“James and Callum are inspirational for every academy players — and a massive credit to all of the staff involved in their development over the years. Stephen Welsh and Tony Ralston are others who have done themselves really proud coming through the youth system, and continue to be important players. They are role models, too.
“James was the first one for me as I was trying to make the grade. Then Callum followed suit. I still look up to them.”
Forrest has made 486 appearances for Celtic, scoring 105 goals and assisting on 102 occasions. Forrest has an excellent record against Rangers, playing 27 games and winning on 18 occasions. In that time, the player has scored twice and assisted on six occasions. McGregor, meanwhile, has made 455 appearances for the club, scoring 64 goals and assisting on 76 occasions. Their trophy hauls are incredible.
Tierney will be hoping, along with the rest of us, that the pair are on the winning side against Rangers on Sunday as the sides meet in the Glasgow Derby.
