Former Celtic star Kieran Tierney has told of how leaving Celtic three years ago was one of the hardest decisions he’s ever had to make in his life after seeing the reaction Brendan Rodgers got when he departed the club for Leicester City.
Tierney joined the Gunners for a fee of around £25million three years ago after impressing heavily over a number of years at Celtic Park under Neil Lennon and former Liverpool boss Rodgers.
Arguably the most exciting young left-back in the world game when Celtic were in their pomp, Tierney’s willingness to join the Gunners admittedly upset a large proportion of the Paradise faithful as one of their own left for the riches of the English division.
But the Scotland international has opened up on the move, describing it as the hardest he has ever had to make in his life after waving goodbye to family ties following his actions.
We’d seen the reaction that Brendan Rodgers had got (when he left) so it was kind of scary. But it’s a very small minority,” Tierney told the Daily Mail.
A lot of people messaged me saying: ‘All the best’, ‘We’re so proud of you’, ‘Go down there and smash it’. I still look back and see those as my best days — to be playing for your boyhood club. I lived the dream.
Easily the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make because of how much it pulled on my heart strings. My family loved going to Celtic games and seeing their son, brother, nephew, cousin play and I felt bad taking that away from them.
Of course, Tierney endured the most fruitful years of his Celtic stay under Rodgers, who massively develop the full-back into becoming on of his best players and arguably the most exciting young wing-back in the world at the time.
And the Isle of Man-born hero claimed that he wouldn’t have reached the level he is at today without the Northern Irishman’s guidance.
When you’re younger, you don’t know about tactics, but he taught me about football. I don’t think I’d be the player who got a move without him. He shaped me.”
Tierney’s Arsenal side won 2-0 away at Crystal Palace on the opening day, despite his absence due to injury.
Rest in Peace Yogi.
Those who begrudged him his move, need to wisen up. Tierney loves Celtic as we all do. But I’m any profession you always want to test yourself, and what better way to do that than play in arguably the best league in the world against the best players. Tierney was and is still a hero at Celtic Park. Any decent. Elric supporter must realise how tough a decision he had to make and how hard it must’ve been to leave, as we’d have all felt the same if in the same position. I’m not saying every Celtic supporter would’ve made the same decision, but you sure as hell can’t blame the Bhoy for wanting to better his career and challenge himself. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we see Tierney back at Paradise again some day donning the Hoops once more and playing for the club who he was born to support and will die supporting them. The bhoy lives the dream of us all
HAIL HAIL
KEEP THE FAITH🍀🍀