Celtic hit the jackpot in final summer season’s switch window once they determined to convey Kieran Tierney again to the membership for a second spell at Parkhead.
Brendan Rodgers lured him again to Glasgow as a free agent after his contract with Premier League giants Arsenal expired in the summertime, six years after his £25m transfer from Celtic.
In his first stint on the membership, the left-back progressed by way of the academy system and received 5 Scottish Premiership titles with the primary group earlier than transferring south.
Since his return, Tierney has made 47 appearances in all competitions, scoring 5 objectives and offering 11 assists, making him a serious menace within the closing third from his left-back place.
Nonetheless, the gamers may discover themselves in a troublesome state of affairs and it could possibly be time for supervisor Martin O’Neill to relaxation the full-backs in opposition to Falkirk on Saturday.
Why Celtic ought to take off Kieran Tierney in opposition to Falkirk
In Sunday’s 6-2 SFA Cup semi-final win over St Mirren, the Scotland worldwide discovered himself in plenty of promising positions within the closing third however was unable to transform a goal-winning shot or cross.
The left-footed defender did not make an influence with the ball at his ft within the Hoops’ final three Premiership video games till his dramatic win in opposition to Saints at Hampden Park.
Final 3 Premiership matches | Kieran Tierney |
|---|---|
begins | 3 |
minutes | 256 |
contact | 215 |
shot heading in the right direction | 0 |
key go | 3 |
A giant alternative has arisen | 0 |
dribbling success | 1/3 |
lack of possession | 46 occasions |
In these three video games, Tierney has given up the ball 46 occasions with out creating any “massive probabilities” for his teammates or registering a shot heading in the right direction. The total-back needs to be disillusioned with these statistics, given his efficiency over the season and the standard he possesses.
Nonetheless, the previous Arsenal defender will not be used to enjoying so many video games in a season, as this yr is the primary time he has performed greater than 40 video games since becoming a member of Arsenal from Celtic in 2019.
That is why the perfect guess may be to drop him from the facet in opposition to Falkirk and let him relaxation and recharge for the remainder of the title bid.
Celtic wildcard choice at left-back to interchange Tierney
Marcelo Saracchi, who performed at left-back in opposition to St Mirren, could possibly be used as Tierney’s alternative, however O’Neill may get inventive and unleash a star participant who has by no means performed at left-back for the membership earlier than.
Luke McCowan has performed completely in central midfield or on the wing for the Hoops since his £1 million transfer from Dundee in the summertime of 2024, however could possibly be an attention-grabbing choice at left-back.
Though he isn’t an absolute defender, profitable 5 tackles and making 4 interceptions each recreation, the Scottish ace has the composure and high quality on the ball so as to add an additional edge to Celtic’s assault from his place.
Though Anthony Ralston scored in opposition to St Mirren, he’s technically not an excellent right-back, so enjoying McCowan at left-back may enable the Hoops to keep up possession and play in a again three.
Meaning Ralston, Auston Trusty and Liam Scales can act as centre-backs within the build-up, with McCowan becoming a member of Callum McGregor in midfield to assist pace the ball to attacking gamers.
25/26 Premiership | Luke McCowan |
|---|---|
Look | 28 |
begins | 11 |
the purpose | 1 |
A giant alternative has arisen | 6 |
Shah | 3.69 |
help | 1 |
Go accuracy | 83% |
The previous Dundee star, as soon as described as a “game-winner” by pundit Mervyn Bartley, has not been rewarded with the assists his inventive play deserves on this Premiership season, however his underlying numbers present how efficient he’s on the ball.
McCowan is all the time seeking to transfer ahead with the ball to create and rating objectives, so he could possibly be an attention-grabbing choice to interchange Tierney, who has struggled in that regard recently.
He has by no means performed at left-back for the Scottish giants earlier than, however putting him in a hybrid position, the place he can operate not solely at left-back but in addition in central midfield, may make it simpler for him to acclimate to it.
O’Neill may due to this fact discover a inventive technique to unleash McCowan on this new position and drop Tierney to the bench for Saturday’s Premiership recreation in opposition to Falkirk.
Celtic ‘positively’ eager to interchange O’Neill in 4-3-3 with three trophies received
The Hoops have set their sights on an “extraordinary” supervisor.
