KIERAN TIERNEY looks likely to miss Celtic’s Premiership opener against St Johnstone at Parkhead in three weeks’ time.
The Scotland international left-back, who has been linked with a big-money move to Arsenal and Napoli in recent weeks, is recovering from a double hernia operation while also being troubled with a persistent pelvic problem.
Tierney was beset with the injury last season and made his last first-team appearance during the title-clinching 3-0 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie on May 4 where he lasted almost an hour before being replaced by Jonny Hayes.
The fans’ favourite also played against the Dons in the Scottish Cup semi-final in another three-goal triumph for the Hoops on April 14, but sat out the 2-1 victory over Hearts in the Final on May 25 when the eight-in-a-row champions sealed the phenomenal treble treble.
Boss Neil Lennon, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “KT is still having problems. In terms of the double hernia, that’s all sorted. But he’s still saying he’s a bit sore to start running.
“I don’t think it gets any worse, but there’s just a constant dull pain there.
“The rest won’t do him any harm at all. He will benefit from it. We don’t want him to be out for too long, but we need to get him right.
“He now has some competition in Boli Mbombo, too, so that means he can step in. That might take the weight off him a bit.”
Tierney was sent home early from the club’s pre-season preparations in Austria and Switzerland to continue his rehab at Lennoxtown.
