Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy’s glowing praise for Kieran Tierney

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The Celtic Star

·26 de diciembre de 2025

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy’s glowing praise for Kieran Tierney

Wilfried Nancy has spoken glowingly about Kieran Tierney after the defender made an encouraging impression in the early weeks of the Frenchman’s tenure at Celtic…

21.12.2025 Celtic v Aberdeen, Scottish Premiership. Kieran Tierney scores for Celtic 2-1. Photo IMAGO Kenny Ramsay

Despite a disastrous start for Nancy – losing four consecutive matches on a trot before Sunday’s 3-1 win over Aberdeen – Tierney’s individual contributions have stood out. The left centre-back has already found the net three times this campaign, offering an attacking edge from deep that has caught the eye.

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That influence was evident at the weekend, when Tierney played the full 90 minutes and made it 2-1 with a decisive header in Nancy’s first victory as Hoops boss over the Dons. The Scottish champions then added a stoppage-time goal through James Forrest which secured the three points.

Kieran Tierney of Celtic goes close in the first half Celtic v Aberdeen, Scottish Premiership, Football, Celtic Park, – 21 December 2025. Photo Mark RunnaclesIMAGO Shutterstock

Speaking via The Herald, Nancy said: “Everybody knows Kieran, and I knew him before I came here. He is an important player for us. Kieran is not a vocal leader – he likes to show [his leadership]on the pitch.”

“Yes [he can thrive], as he has played in this system already. Obviously, I discussed it with him, and I knew that he was able to do it.”

Although concerns remain about Tierney’s fitness record, the Frenchman has made it clear he intends to manage Tierney carefully, maximising his impact when available – whether as a regular starter or in a more measured role from the bench across the season.

21.12.2025 Celtic v Aberdeen, Scottish Premiership. Kieran Tierney celebrates his goal. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

“He’s been playing a few games now, 90 minutes. And in the past, it was only 60 minutes because they wanted to do that to help him to reach the 90 minutes. So I think that we work together on that.”

“I think that, again, Kieran, he has a hope that you’re going to see that he can do more. I’m not surprised by what he did already. But I know that he can do more in terms of everything. So this is the idea, but fitness-wise too.”

Kieran Tierney and James Forrest celebrate during the Premier League match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park on December 21, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“The cycle is so crazy that we have to find the balance with the freshness. So that’s why the idea is not to give him 90 minutes all the time. It’s to see how he can be fresh at the best moment.”

Conor Spence