“He will not chuck the towel in, will fight and scrap,” Sutton on KT

Chris Sutton has shared his thoughts on Celtic full-back Kieran Tierney, noting the defender’s evident frustration despite finding the net against Kilmarnock over the weekend…

Kieran Tierney celebrates — Kieran Tierney of Celtic is congratulated by team mates after he scores his team’s second goal during the Premier ship match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on November 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

After rejoining Celtic in the summer from English Premier League side Arsenal, the 28 year-old has faced a disrupted season, struggling with recurring injuries.

With Marcelo Saracchi now sidelined by a hamstring injury, Sutton feels Tierney must seize the opportunity at Celtic whenever it comes.

Marcelo Saracchi of Celtic leaves the field injured during the Premier League match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on November 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Speaking via Daily Record, Sutton said: “It’s interesting because I think most people feel the same way, that Kieran Tierney quite clearly hasn’t been the same since he’s returned to Celtic, whether there’s something psychological in there.

“I’m sure there is, and you see with his reaction to scoring the goal, there were elements of frustration coming out. He hasn’t been the same.”

KT scores — Kieran Tierney of Celtic scores his team’s second goal during the Premiership match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on November 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Sutton added: “Tierney had injuries before he left Celtic, didn’t play loads of football at Arsenal, and we talked about, maybe psychologically, that there’s something there where he has that doubt. He’s struggled to finish games. Maybe he’ll come back and hit the heights.”

“But I always think with Tierney, whatever people think of him, and I think many people feel the same way and sort of feel a bit sorry for him, the way it’s gone since he’s come back. But he is a determined character. He is a determined figure.”

“He’s a good type, and I’m sure that he would have felt maybe an element of humiliation that he’s coming back and he’s sitting on the bench in a struggling team,” the former Celtic forward continued. “But I do think that he will not chuck the towel in, will fight and scrap. There’s a player in there, we know there’s a player in there.”

Auston Trusty congratulates KT — Kieran Tierney of Celtic is congratulated by team mates after he scores his team’s second goal during the Premiership match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on November 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Addressing the question of who should start at left-back when both are available, Sutton said: “I always felt that Sarracchi, we need to see him over a longer period. But I think he can play that inverted role, which Kieran Tierney, with respect, clearly can’t.”

“He can give Celtic maybe better balance on that left-hand side, and that ability to play that role, I think, gives him the edge over Tierney, if we’re talking about styles of player. I think Saracchi would be or is a better fit for this Celtic team right now, but we don’t know how long he’s going to be out for.”

Conor Spence

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