TOMMY GEMMELL always made a point when he came onto Celtic Quick News to praise young left back Kieran Tierney. Indeed the last time Tommy was on, appropriately enough on 25th May last year, he was full of praise for KT but very few other players as that disappointing season drew to a close.
Today a sad Kieran spoke fondly about the Lisbon Lions left back, Tommy Gemmell. “It’s a very sad loss for the Club, as a whole,”Tierney said. “He’s a legend and he’ll live on here forever.”
Tierney was at Celtic Park today to help promote Sunday’s sensational £25,000 Paradise Windfall. As well as speaking about Tommy, Kieran looked ahead to the challenges facing Celtic in the coming few months as the club aim for all sorts of targets, starting with 3 points on Sunday.
Celtic are undefeated domestically this season so have the chance of being the first ever Invincible Celtic.
Celtic are going for a Treble and face Sevco Rangers in the semi-final and assuming no mishaps, like last year which so annoyed TG, either Cup holders Hibs or Aberdeen in the Final.
Celtic are going for a record points victory in any league across Europe. Martin O’Neill won this record for the club previously but a rampant Paris Saint Germain beat it by 2 points last season.
The new record is 31 points, Celtic currently are 27 ahead of nearest rivals Aberdeen, who have long since had their eyes over their shoulder having settled for second best as their target.
Celtic are also going for a 6 game whitewash over Sevco Rangers. With wins in September, October and December already secured, the Bhoys have 3 games starting on Sunday then in April and May to reach that target.
All in all it looks like being a very memorable end to the season.
All of this is clearly on the minds of the Celtic squad who are determined to give 100% in every game until the end of the season. Quite simply there will be no chance of easing off.
First thing’s first and that means Sunday against Sevco Rangers. “We have a big game coming up,” said Tierney today. “Everybody at the Club knows that so it’s our job to train hard every day and be ready for it.”
There clearly is no gain without pain and under Brendan Rodgers this group players have bought into his football philosophy and are reaping their rewards.
“We work hard,” explained the young left-back. “The mentality in the dressing room is to give a 100% no matter who you are against.
Referring to Celtic’s massive lead in the league table KT said: “The point gap is big but it didn’t come easy. We’ve worked hard since day one for that.”
And on Sunday he’ll do what he always does in every game, give his all for Celtic. “I’m always up for every game. No more than any other game. I enjoy every minute on the pitch. I give my all.”
One thing that Tierney didn’t enjoy too much this season was being out injured. While he made the most of it by traveling with the supporters to every game, for Tierney nothing beats pulling that jersey over his head and going out to follow in the footsteps of Tommy Gemmell and play left back for Celtic.
“You don’t realise how much you want to play for Celtic until you’re injured,” Tierney said.”Being out of action a couple of months ago makes you appreciate it a lot more.”
KT is also full of praise for the work done so far by Brendan Rodgers and his management team and believes he is now a better player as a result.
“He’s made me, technically, a much better player,” he said.
“They’ve worked hard on that, him and the coaches, and they’ve just emphasised that I work on a lot of stuff. That’s what I’ve done in training and after training.
“Touches and passes, I’m working on that, and my crosses as well, so I’m working on a lot of stuff. I’m still young.”
