KEEPER Scott Bain welcomed back Kieran Tierney in Celtic’s 4-1 win over Motherwell at Parkhead on Sunday.
The 21-year-old defender was making his first appearance in the top side since the 2-1 Europa League Group B loss to RB Salzburg in Glasgow on December 13.
A frustrated Tierney sat out FIFTEEN successive games as the team zeroed in on their eighth Premiership crown in a row plus making progress in the pursuit of a historic Scottish Cup hat-trick as they remained on track for an unprecedented treble treble.
A persistent hip problem kept the fans’ favourite on the sidelines, but he made a superb return in the victory over the Fir Park outfit and was involved in the opening goal for Scott Sinclair with a typical unselfish run down the wing.
Tierney, who had been named captain for the day in place of the suspended Scott Brown, lasted until the 68th minute before being replaced by Jonny Hayes.
SIDELINED…Kieran Tierney sits between Oliver Burke and Mikeal Lustig after being substituted against Well.
Ahead of tomorrow night’s trip to play Hearts at Tynecastle, Bain is delighted to have the Scotland international star back in the squad.
The Hoops shotstopper, speaking to BT Sport, said: “He’s a real talent and he drives the team on from left-back which is unusual from that position.
“He is powerful, he brings pace to the team and his quality on the ball is fantastic, so it is great to have him back and he is obviously made to wear Celtic’s armband when Scott is not there.
“We all know how big a Celtic fan he is, so I am sure he loves that.
”Since January, we have said that we are going into every game as a Cup Final and we want to win every game.
“Every game brings different objectives, difficulties and circumstances. It is going to be tough, we know that. It is a tight pitch, they have good players, strong, powerful and pretty direct.
“We know that we have to stand up and be counted, be aggressive and strong.
“We have stood up to challenges like that before and we can do it again.”
