KIERAN TIERNEY certainly enjoyed his evening at Celtic The Musical earlier this week and the publicity that he has been able to provide for the fantastic Pavilion Theatre show is sure to put bums on sets for the show. KT spoke about his evening at the theatre yesterday ahead of tonight’s opening Europa League Group stage match against old foes Rosenborg.
“At the end of the musical, there was a bit about Brendan Rodgers and ‘The History Makers’ and it was great to be part of that. But it wasn’t about me, it was about the team — and to be part of that is amazing. It’s an honour,” Kieran said.
“It was quite an emotional night as well, and it was just great to be a part of it. It’s a small part of Celtic history, but it’s MASSIVE for me and my family.
“People asking for autographs and selfies is brilliant. When I was younger that’s what I wanted, to be recognised as a Celtic player.
“If people ask you for pictures you should be grateful, and I am. I was happy to get a picture with every single person in there if they wanted one.”
Tierney also looked back on his own Celtic history yesterday, specifically to his European debut which came in a 2-2 draw at Celtic Park against Fenerbahce in October 2015.
“If someone had told me that night that three years later all this would have happened I wouldn’t have believed it.
“That I would have been given the chance to captain Celtic, lead them out, and do the talk in the huddle. That was part of the History Makers season — and it’s just a huge honour.
“It was only my fifth game, and I never thought I’d be starting against Fenerbahce. I did pretty well, and from there I got my chance. It was Ronny Deila who gave me the opportunity, and I thank him for that. I would say that was the night it really started for me as a first-team player for Celtic.
“I didn’t play every game after that, but Ronny Deila trusted me in big games after that night.
“Emilio Izaguirre got a red card in one game soon afterwards, so I played in more European matches.Fenerbahce was the one that kick-started it for me.
“I remember the build-up when I was being shown video clips of Nani and Robin van Persie — I was thinking: ‘You’re joking’! But I remember we went 2-0 up then conceded right before and after half-time, which kind of killed it.
“I would have loved to have got the win in my first European game. I was up against Nani in the first half, then he switched wings. It was some game to come into and after that my confidence grew.
“It gave me belief I could play in Europe, and I just wanted more of it,” KT continued.
“The atmosphere was great, and just to be on the pitch for a European game was brilliant.
“I was quite nervous and scared at first, but once the match started I forgot about that and just tried to play my normal game.
“The Europa League is a great tournament. People don’t understand how good it is. It’s prestigious and for me it’s a huge honour to play in it.
“I don’t take it for granted and I know how tough it’s going to be.”
