KIERAN TIERNEY, who has been out for over TWO months and missed FOURTEEN games, is edging closer to a Celtic comeback.
Brendan Rodgers reckons the 21-year-old Scotland international left-back is very close to a return following his battle with a persistent hip problem.
Tierney’s last appearance was in the Europa League Group B encounter against the Austrians of RB Salzburg when the Hoops lost 2-1 at Parkhead on December 13.
The fans’ favourite had hoped to be fit in time for last week’s 2-0 defeat against Valencia in the first leg of the last-32 tie.
However, Rodgers wasn’t satisfied with his fitness levels and left him out of the squad and also the playing pool for yesterday’s dramatic 1-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
COMEBACK BHOY…Kieran Tierney in training last week.
Tierney has no chance of playing in Thursday’s return leg against the Spanish cracks at the Mestalla, but there is a possibility of a long-awaited return against Motherwell at Parkhead on Sunday.
Boss Rodgers said: “By the end of this week, that’ll be two full weeks Kieran will have training with the squad and the team.
“So, we would hope that maybe by Motherwell at the weekend, he will be in with a chance.
“We will assess that, but he’s looking very strong. He’s looking back to his best running ability which he showed before the injury.
“Because physicality is very important for Kieran, the role that he plays getting up and down the line.
“But he’s back moving as well as he has done, so we’re hoping by the weekend he will be fine.”
* Rodgers was speaking to Celtic TV.
