The Invincible spirit of Kieran Tierney

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·11 Juni 2025

The Invincible spirit of Kieran Tierney

The Invincible spirit of Kieran Tierney – An extract from INVINCIBLE by Matt Corr…

Tom Rogic scores the winner at the Scottish Cup Final, Celtic v Aberdeen at Hampden in May 2017. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The 49,000 drenched supporters and 22 players are resigned to extra-time in this season of seasons, as the clock moves past the 90-minute mark. And then it happens. Just like the movies.

Video OneFootball

Tom Rogic picks up a pass from Stuart Armstrong in right midfield and starts to glide. As he does. Dons substitute Anthony O’Connor tries to stay with him, but the Wizard has cast his spell, the ball remaining glued to his feet as he bears in on goal. All those years of Futsal give him a degree of control and touch which few can match.

Tom Rogic scores the winner at the Scottish Cup Final, Celtic v Aberdeen at Hampden in May 2017. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

He is past O’Connor and now Andrew Considine, as Joe Lewis comes out to meet him. The angle is tight. Ridiculously so. But we can only watch in awe as the tall Aussie effortlessly clips it past the Aberdeen keeper and inside the near post as the net bulges. There is a second of silence and then absolute mayhem. That moment when you realise that this might indeed be the day when your team, our team, will make football history.

And you will be there.

Your kids by your side. Your dad in your heart.

We are all here.

Tom Rogic scores the winner at the Scottish Cup Final, Celtic v Aberdeen at Hampden in May 2017. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Erik Sviatchenko has replaced Paddy Roberts, using up a few more precious seconds and disrupting whatever flow remains in the game. But there is still some time to endure before we can really celebrate. And this is Celtic, so we just know there will be more drama. And there it is…

With referee Madden checking his watch, the ball is launched into our penalty area. Dons defender Ash Taylor has risen highest to knock it down, as Adam Rooney slides in to convert. There is a moment of blind panic, before the roar around me confirms that the danger has been averted. Craig Gordon has flopped onto the ball.

“Stay down, Craig.”

He does and I know that’s it. The whistle blows. Relief and release. Strangers are hugging you.

It is a Celtic experience that cannot properly be described. Only felt.

An Invincible Treble.

The first.

The only.

The Scottish Cup is being passed from player from player, each receiving an individual roar. But there is one, unforgettable moment yet to be witnessed.

Kieran Tierney with the Scottish Cup after the Scottish Cup Final win over Aberdeen at Hampden in May 2017. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Up walks a blood-stained Kieran Tierney to huge applause. He grabs the famous old trophy and gestures manically to the support at our end, whilst grabbing the badge on his shirt.

It is an iconic image which will live with me forever. Long after he has left Celtic. In one, impulsive, crazy moment he has summarised just what it feels to be Celtic. The cause. The spirit.

Kieran Tierney lifts the Scottish Cup after the Scottish Cup Final win over Aberdeen at Hampden in May 2017. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The managers were asked for their views on the game’s one real moment of controversy, the injury to Kieran Tierney. Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes was in no doubt of his man’s innocence.

“Nobody even appealed for a foul. Kieran Tierney is an honest boy. He’s a brilliant boy. How he plays the game. And I think he’s got his eye on the ball and just ran into Jayden. Jayden was under strict orders not to be flaying elbows or whatever. I think it is just an unfortunate accident. I don’t think there’s a foul there and not many Celtic players appealed for that either.”

Kieran Tierney is injured during the Scottish Cup Final win over Aberdeen at Hampden in May 2017. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Brendan Rodgers reserved his judgement until he had the opportunity to take another look, albeit also taking time out to remind the assembled media pack of Stockley’s previous form in this regard.

“I think he [Kieran] needs an operation. It wasn’t nice, and I’ll have to speak to the medics on that. I’ll have to see [the challenge]again. There’s two challenges he’s had on Kieran. There was one up at Aberdeen, which was questionable. I’ll have a look at this one and take it from there.”

Kieran Tierney is injured during the Scottish Cup Final win over Aberdeen at Hampden in May 2017. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

And last word to the man who could only speak through social media, Kieran Tierney himself.

He had rushed out of the nearby Victoria Infirmary to get back to the stadium in time for the presentation. Still in pain and groggy from his interim treatment, he had then dashed through the throng of exiting Dons supporters in the car park to take his place on the podium.

Kieran Tierney is injured during the Scottish Cup Final win over Aberdeen at Hampden in May 2017. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The last man, just about standing.

Then came that outpouring of emotion. Of feeling. Of downright defiance.

“It was worth a broken jaw.”

Reflecting perfectly the spirit of the class of 2016/17.

Unbeatable.

Indestructible.

Invincible.

That was how it felt to be Celtic.

Kieran Tierney after the Scottish Cup Final win over Aberdeen at Hampden in May 2017. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou

Hail, Hail!

Matt Corr

Click on the image to order a signed copy of Invincible by Matt Corr.

An extract from INVINCIBLE by Matt Corr, available now at Celticstarbooks.com/shop – order today and we’ll post a signed copy immediately by first class post well in time for Father’s Day this Sunday! And there’s also a fiver off!

Follow Matt on X/Twitter @Boola_vogue