THEY vary in size and shape but the most striking difference is their stature. Kieran Tierney’s shelves might be groaning under the weight but the teenager has as much attachment to childhood gongs as the ones he has claimed in his senior career.
The Scotland internationalist won the PFA Young Player of the year for the second successive season this month and has collected the SPFWA too, hanging on to an accolade that was his this time last year.
“My friend thinks it’s class that I’ve got my very first boys club trophy from when I was six,” smiled the full-back.
“I actually think the arm has fallen off. It was a pure cheap one, but I keep them all. There’s a cabinet I’ve got for medals and trophies. It’s getting full, but I hope I can keep filling it.”
Tierney’s appeal for Celtic lies in the aggression and energy he shows on the flank with this season confirming the upward trajectory of his reputation.
Liverpool and Arsenal have been added to the list of admirers who have kept tabs on his progress but for now the player has maintained that he is settled where he is.
Off the park, Tierney remains as unaffected as it is possible to be when a boyhood aspiration of featuring for your team of choice has been realised. Stopping for autographs and photographs with fans is not the norm for most teenagers and yet the Scotland internationalist retains a firm sense of self that he attributes to still being around the same crowd of friends that he grew up with.
Teetotal, Tierney roped in a personal trainer during his own summer break to ensure he reported for pre-season fit and ready to hit the ground running, and the teenager has his head screwed on when it comes to appreciating the position which he is in.
“I was with Netherton Boys Club with all my friends,” said Tierney.
“I still know a load of the boys who were there because they are all my friends from my area. I was only there a couple of years before I joined Celtic, but it was a special time.
“They were a year older than me and everyone went on trials here and there. There were a couple who went to Celtic at the same time as me – unfortunately they didn’t get in, but it shows they could have gone far.
“My best friend Jamie Rankin is my age and he played with the team. He was a great player. He got trials with Aberdeen and Hibs but it was just too far away at that time. Stuff like that is unlucky. I’m with him most days. He gets up early for work. He’s a fabricator welder. It’s long hours.
“I go to training. I realise I’m lucky.
“I grew up living next door to Jamie and he’s always been there. Both times when I’ve had serious injuries, he’s been there hanging about with me for a few days, playing Fifa and stuff to help to take my mind off things.”
Tierney will dust down his dinner suit and get out the notebook on Sunday evening when he attends the Scottish Football Writers’ dinner in Glasgow. And the youngster has admitted that taking to the stage in front of expectant ears is harder than running on to the field.
“People go up and speak for five minutes and make people laugh,” he said. “I finished last year and people didn’t know whether to clap or what. They were saying: ‘Has he finished?’ “I’m not funny. I’d get more nervous speaking in front of 1000 people than playing in front of 60,000. It’s different. Football is my profession. Speaking in front of folk is not!
“I will be bringing my mate to the dinner but is he writing my speech? No, he’s not the brightest, to be fair!”
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