Celtic defender Kieran Tierney signs new six-year contract
Monday 30 October 2017 20:49, UK
Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney has committed his future to the club after signing a new six-year contract.
A number of Premier League clubs are understood to have been tracking Tierney but the Hoops have announced he has committed himself to Parkhead until the summer of 2023.
The 20-year-old has played 97 times for Brendan Rodgers' side since making his debut away to St Johnstone in May 2015.
Tierney played a key role as Celtic secured the treble last season and he has already played 22 times for them during the current campaign.
His impressive form for his club side has seen him capped eight times by Scotland, with his last international appearance coming in the 2-2 draw against Slovenia in the World Cup Qualifiers in what proved to be Gordon Strachan's last game as Scotland manager.
Tierney said: "Obviously I got a long-term deal last year when the manager came in and to have another one so soon is brilliant for me and my family. I still can't believe it, it's amazing."
Tierney was quick to thank his team-mates, especially skipper Scott Brown, for helping him settle so well in the first team and he also expressed gratitude to Rodgers.
"It's brilliant to have him believe in me, he has trusted me since day one," he added.
"I was very young when he came in, I had only played one season in the first team so there was always a doubt that he might bring someone more experienced in, but he has trusted me and I have a lot to thank him for."
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Tierney admitted he was "living the dream" after breaking through the youth ranks to play for the club he supported.
And he is still not taking his status for granted, especially after deputising for Brown recently.
"That's probably the greatest honour I have ever had: to captain Celtic, walk out and do the team talk in the huddle," he said.
"It's just unbelievable. I could never have imagined that and for the gaffer to have that trust in someone so young is very special for me."
