Interim Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has provided the latest news regarding Kieran Tierney’s fitness…
The Scotland international was left out of the squad for last night’s clash with Falkirk, as Marcelo Saracchi was preferred in the left-back role. And Martin O’Neill shared an update with reporters following Celtic’s 4-0 victory over the Bairns.
Post match he had this to say about Kieran Tierney’s fitness issues: “He’s said he’s much better. He’s feeling better. It was just a niggle. I seen him in the dressing room before the game, and he’s feeling much better than he did. I know he played the game [at the weekend], but he was niggling. It was a stiffness as much as anything.”
The 73 year-old added: “But the wee lad who played at left back I thought he was great. He was a really great player. He’s an international player. I met him for the first time today. You just get out and play, young man. Go and play. And he said, ‘yes, that’s what I’ll do’. He didn’t say it like that!”
O’Neill made four changes to Celtic’s starting eleven from last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Tynecastle, including swapping Tierney for Saracchi. In defence, Auston Trusty and Anthony Ralston replaced Dane Murray and Colby Donovan, a selection that really should have been made last weekend, as we were calling for on The Celtic Star.
Reo Hatate was left out of the lineup, with Benjamin Nygren moving into midfield and James Forrest taking up a spot on the right wing.
Celtic went on to record a convincing 4-0 win, with goals coming from Johnny Kenny (2), Benjamin Nygren, and Sebastian Tounekti, his first at Celtic Park.
With Hearts drawing in Paisley against St Mirren 2-2, the gap between the Scottish champions and the league leaders has been cut to six points. It really should have been down to five points after yet another baffling decision from VAR, this one is probably the worst of the lot this season. Watch it below. You can understand the St Mirren anger and it certainly didn’t do Celtic anything favours!
Unbelievable. How can Var think this is a foul and how can the ref ok it. We need to hear the comms pic.twitter.com/L8Uh9Ufb20
— alan cassidy (@cassidy_alan) October 29, 2025
From a Celtic perspective, the main takeaway from last night is that, at first glance, Martin O’Neill appears to have lost none of his Midas touch. Already holding the best winning percentage of any Celtic manager, he further highlighted that record with possibly the Hoops’ finest league performance of the season so far.
Celtic now need to build on this momentum, with a massive clash against theRangers coming up this Sunday. The sense of optimism has returned, and at this stage, restoring that belief – along with securing the three points – is about as much as O’Neill could have hoped to achieve after a dramatic 48 hours for Celtic Football Club and O’Neill himself.
For the game on Sunday, Martin will have a decision to make on whether to keep faith in Marcelo Saracchi who was mightily impressive last night or bring back Kieran Tierney, who has struggled for form, fitness and consistency so far this season.
Conor Spence
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Same team again for Sun with astute substitutions on cue.
Hopefully MON can stay for the rest of the season.
Hail Hail.
Nick Walsh on VAR? Not the first time that cheat has made seriously questionable decisions that impact Celtic. If he’s not a cheat or corrupt, he’s not fit to be participating in football at that level. But as usual, he will get to skulk away into the shadows unquestioned.
I remember when he gave Hearts a penalty against us. The Hearts player came from behind the Celtic player, dived over the Celtic player and the cheat Walsh pointed straight to the spot. Walsh wasn’t even in a position to see clearly what happened but he had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
It was before VAR and, if i remember correctly, i think it was his first Celtic/Hearts game. I’ve never trusted the cheat from then until this day. Where’s Collum hiding?
Also meant to say, Scaracci is the man of the moment. He should start on Sunday and Tierney used later on if we’re winning. Tierney and his injuries need to be managed sparingly. We’re blessed to have 2 great players for that position. I’m sure MON will know EXACTLY how he’s going to approach it. Roll on Sunday.