Kieran Tierney finds himself back in familiar territory at Celtic, yet the landscape surrounding his boyhood club has shifted dramatically. When the full-back departed for Arsenal in 2019, Celtic were accustomed to dominating Scottish football. Now, after returning last summer, Tierney's hopes of seamlessly resuming his success have encountered unexpected turbulence.
A Season of Managerial Chaos and Resilience
This extraordinary campaign began with Brendan Rodgers at the helm but quickly descended into chaos. Wilfried Nancy's brief and tumultuous tenure was bookended by two stints from Martin O'Neill, who has remarkably steered the team to nine wins and a draw in the Premiership. Despite this resurgence, Celtic remain in a precarious position.
The Tight Premiership Race Intensifies
As Celtic prepare to face Kilmarnock on Sunday, they trail behind Hearts and Rangers in the table. This coincides with a crucial head-to-head clash between their rivals at Ibrox, amplifying the tension across Scottish football. No team has managed to pull away, setting the stage for a gripping three-way battle.
Tierney acknowledges that while he would prefer a comfortable lead akin to Rodgers' Invincibles of 2016-17, the fiercely competitive nature of this season adds a unique layer of achievement. "For me, it would be the top because of everything that's happened this season," he stated. "Everyone can see it's not been plain sailing. So, to come through that and if we do win it, it would be the best."
Reflecting on past triumphs, Tierney added: "Obviously when I won my first title (2016) it's amazing. The first treble (2017), we went invincible that season. We knew we'd won the league a couple of weeks before the season finished. But this one would be the hardest-fought one. This year, it's going to go right to the end."
New Signings and Tierney's Personal Resurgence
Celtic supporters have reasons for optimism as the season reaches its climax. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's impressive debut against Livingston, albeit brief, suggested his eight-month absence may not hinder his impact. His arrival followed Junior Adamu's injury-time winner against Dundee, with earlier signings Tomas Cvancara and Julian Araujo also making immediate contributions.
Most notably, Tierney himself is rediscovering his best form. His initial performances upon returning were underwhelming, raising concerns about the lingering effects of multiple injuries in his mid-20s. However, O'Neill's recent praise confirmed the defender's resurgence, echoing the player who secured a £25 million move to Arsenal.
"If someone hasn't played consistently for three years, it's hard to expect that in the first four weeks they're going to be flying," Tierney explained. "I had two or three operations in the last couple of years, never played consistently and came back, was asked to play a lot of games at the start, so it's going to take time. Did I know it would be a slow burner? Yes."
He admitted: "It's been a tough season for me, to be honest. I've just had to keep doing what I'm doing, do my recovery and the work in the gym. I would say for the past couple of months I've been performing at a consistent level. I need to keep that up, keep defending well, helping the boys in attack and playing a lot of minutes."
Overcoming Adversity and Building Momentum
Tierney's comeback nearly stalled when he sustained a broken nose against Dundee, following a high boot from Cameron Congreve. He expressed surprise that the incident only resulted in a booking, but was relieved the injury wasn't more severe. "I'm just glad it wasn't worse and I was able to play again so soon, because my record of being available this season, touch wood, has been pretty good," he recalled.
His resilience allowed him to contribute 30 minutes from the bench against Livingston, continuing his upward trajectory. Meanwhile, Oxlade-Chamberlain's integration promises further boosts, with Tierney highlighting his quality in training and endorsements from former teammates.
External Factors and Fan Support
The midweek drama extended beyond Celtic's match, as Stephen Welsh's late equaliser for Motherwell against Rangers created a four-point swing in the title race. Tierney celebrated this indirect contribution, noting the defender's enduring connection to Celtic.
However, off-field issues persist. The ongoing exclusion of the Green Brigade fan group has dampened the atmosphere at Celtic Park, a concern for Tierney who values their vocal support. "I would love the atmosphere to be the best it could be because the run-in is going to be tough," he stressed. "Everyone knows how the atmosphere can be at Celtic Park and how much it can help us, so I'd look forward to that."
Having grown up among these supporters, Tierney maintains a strong bond with them. "I have known them for years, going to the games when I was younger. When I went to the games I wanted to create an atmosphere as well, so I have a good relationship with them," he said.
He added: "What messages have I had? Just things like 'keep going' and that we need to fight. I saw a banner against Livingston saying 'fight to the end' and I think that's the message every supporter would give to the players if they could speak to us. We know everyone is backing us and supporting us, so we're going out there doing our best."
As the Premiership title race approaches its climax, Tierney's personal revival and Celtic's collective resilience under O'Neill could prove decisive in a season defined by unpredictability and fierce competition.
