The story of Celtic’s left back position has been largely painful over the years. Emilio Izaguirre arrived after the 2010 Wold Cup and, for a few seasons at least, strengthened what was a perennial weak spot in the team. You’re going back decades, possibly to Danny McGrain himself, before you’ll find someone in the left back position Emilio wasn’t clearly a stand-out improvement on.
Having supplanted Emilio in the Celtic team, there’s a good chance that 18-year-old Kieran Tierney will make his Scotland debut tonight on his breakthrough season. It’s a great story for a player who has physicality and maturity beyond his years. We might just have a genuine player on our hands.
The echo of a big failure at left back still reverberates around the club. Seven years ago Sligo Rovers’ Seamus Coleman, was on trial at Lennoxtown, but was sent home as he wasn’t judged able to put pressure on Lee Naylor, during Gordon Strachan’s last season. Then reserve team coach, Willie McStay, recommended Coleman to Everton, where the player has turned into one of the best left backs in the English Premier League.
Assessing strikers is comparatively easy; there are objective statistics (goals scored) to inform your view, including at youth level. It’s not as easy assessing a defender, where picking a winner offers you only subjective opinions. Kieran has achieved far more than any of his teenage contemporaries this season, some of whom were more lauded than him.
Perhaps the crucial deciding factor in all this was who was given an extended run in the team. If you don’t allow your youth players to graduate (at the right time), and don’t sacrifice first team mainstays (at the right time) you’ll forever buy other teams’ graduates.
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WTF a shocking tackle on Erik
Horrible challenge from Bridcutt on oor Erik.
HH
Liam Bridcutt clatters Erik. But Erik, hard as nails, just smiles.
Who does the boy Burke play for ?
Had my heart in my mouth as that tackle went in on Erick.
The Danish no. 23, hojbjerg, looks a player in second half after Tierney went off
TET
Forest
Tet,
Notts forest
HH
Yer man Bridcutt looking like a bomb scare. H H Hebcelt
FT Germany 4-1 Italy.
Now watching Colombia v Ecuador, followed by Argentina v Bolivia, Venezuela v Chile and Uruguay v Peru!
Long night/morning ahead.
Sign John McGinn!
HH!!
WITS-agree with G67,Moyes must be one of the favourites
Remi Garde chucks it at villa
Eric Black temps it
HH
That’s twice Crocker has mentioned the Malmo game ffs.
Tidy chip by Whittiker releases the young boy Burke. Keeper spills cut back.
Thanks bhoys, easier than googlin :-)
HH
Commentator had already mentioned Malmo beating Celtic twice, now tells us about one of the Danes having scored a few goals against Celtic.
Bada,
Aye and I hear the ajax guy has scored a few against us. Ffs
HH
Engerlund brought back to reality
John mcGinn named man of the match.
Only 18, 300 odds
Well done john a credit
HH
Two good wins against decent opposition for Gordon Strachan and Scotland. A bit away from looking like a team that will go the the World Cup, but winning is a good habit while transition is underway. Well done a Scotland
Well done, Scotland. Well done Kieran Tierney.
Young McGinn looking like a Scott Brown wi’ legs.
Well done WGS, two out of two wins whilst being lambasted by a hun press for not picking any of the huns.
Cannae believe Scotland got two clean sheets without the supreme talent of
Lee Wallace (had to google to get name right).
Erick lucky not to get his leg broken by Bridcutt. Ridiculous tackle, clear red card. Keeper did well, also young KT. Scotland poor 2nd half, kept losing possession and misplace passes, especially Whitakker.
McGinn also proving that playing in the second tier doesn’t matter if you’re a good player.
Unfortunately, if you’re a shoite player, even playing for the mighty Sevco doesn’t help.
After his performance this evening, I would think young Tierney is a shoo-in as Scotland’s LB for years to come. Sheer class.
I am well aware we have billions of midfielders but are any of them like this boy McGinn…he is so committed…I’d be happy for Celtic to sign him..
That game should have been played at Easter Rd or Tynecastle tonight. Hampden should be bulldozed.
Yes…and Tierney showed up so well, great to see…and good to see big Charlie, he’ll be important for us in the remaining fixtures
Just seen the tackle on Erik…
F***ing hell !
WGS gives Lee Wallace a mention in post match interview, just for a laugh haha!
For next season we should sign McGinn and bring back Henderson to replace Johansen and Bitton.
Given up on CQN on iPhone 5, impossible, thought the pop up ads were getting binned?
Tanner giving it OF pish.
Kieran Tierney and John McGinn showed their class tonight. Get John in the Celtic team to fulfill his destiny. Grandad Jack must be a proud man tonight.
Bass
Still use 5 with adblocker
No problems and don’t need to scroll past all the other topics re millionaires from Coatbridge etc
Bada even
I see Neil Lennon is in the Sky studio with fud McCann for the Hertz game. I hope Lenny sticks one on the wee fud if he starts any of his shite.