3 Kieran Tierney

Kieran Tierney was born on 5 June 1997 in Douglas, Isle of Man, but moved to Wishaw, Scotland, when he was just 10 months old. A lifelong Celtic supporter, he joined the club’s youth academy at the age of seven. He attended St Brendan’s RC Primary and Our Lady’s High School before transferring to St Ninian’s High School, which had a partnership with Celtic’s development program.

During his time in the academy, Tierney earned a reputation as a dynamic left-back, capable of excelling in both defense and attack. He first traveled with the first team for a pre-season tour in 2014, making his debut in a friendly against Tottenham Hotspur.

Club Career

Celtic (2015–2019)

Breakthrough and Early Success (2015–2016)

Tierney made his competitive first-team debut for Celtic on 22 April 2015 in a Scottish Premiership match against Dundee. He quickly established himself as the first-choice left-back, replacing Emilio Izaguirre, and played over 30 matches in the 2015–16 season. His performances earned him both the Players’ and Writers’ Young Player of the Year awards, and he helped Celtic secure the league title.

Domestic Dominance and Injuries (2017–2019)

Tierney was instrumental in Celtic’s domestic success, playing a key role in back-to-back domestic trebles. He won the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award three seasons in a row and was a major contributor in cup finals.

In 2017, he captained Celtic for the first time and scored a stunning long-range goal in a League Cup match against Kilmarnock. Despite battling injuries, including a hip issue that required surgery, he remained a pivotal player.

Arsenal (2019–Present)

Early Years and FA Cup Triumph (2019–2021)

Arsenal signed Tierney in August 2019 for a reported £25 million, making him the most expensive Scottish footballer at the time. However, injuries delayed his debut. When he returned, he impressed with his defensive solidity and attacking contributions.

Tierney played a crucial role in Arsenal’s FA Cup-winning campaign in 2019–20, featuring in the final as the Gunners defeated Chelsea. He also helped the team win the FA Community Shield against Liverpool in August 2020.

Injuries and Squad Competition (2021–2023)

The 2021–22 season saw Tierney sidelined with a knee injury, which affected Arsenal’s push for Champions League qualification. Despite his return in 2022–23, he found himself playing second fiddle to Oleksandr Zinchenko, prompting speculation about a potential departure.

Loan to Real Sociedad (2023–2024)

In August 2023, Tierney joined La Liga side Real Sociedad on a season-long loan. He made an impressive debut in a 5–3 win over Granada and followed up with a strong performance against Real Madrid. However, two hamstring injuries in September and January disrupted his season.

Return to Arsenal and Move to Celtic (2024–2025)

After suffering a hamstring injury at Euro 2024, Tierney returned to Arsenal in November 2024. In February 2025, Celtic announced a pre-contract agreement to bring him back to Scotland on a permanent transfer in the summer.

International Career

Tierney made his senior Scotland debut in March 2016 against Denmark. Due to his versatility, he was often deployed in different defensive roles, including right-back and center-back, to accommodate fellow left-back Andrew Robertson.

He captained Scotland in a friendly against the Netherlands in 2017 and played a key role in their UEFA Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 qualification campaigns. In March 2022, he scored his first international goal against Poland.

At Euro 2024, Tierney started Scotland’s opening match against Germany but was injured in the second group-stage game against Switzerland, ruling him out for the remainder of the tournament.

Personal Life

In June 2021, Tierney became an ambassador for the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA).