Celtic fans had a lot to say about Kieran Tierney’s performance in the Europa League against Red Star Belgrade.
After Tierney missed out on Champions League football with Celtic, the Hoops started their campaign in the Europa League on Wednesday night.
While Arsenal were playing Port Vale in the Carabao Cup, Tierney was in Belgrade with Celtic, who drew 1-1 to Red Star Belgrade in an evenly contested fixture.
Former Premier League duo Marko Arnautovic and Kelechi Iheanacho got on the scoreline, but when it came to talking about players who used to play in the English top flight, the discussion couldn’t avoid Tierney.
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Celtic fans slam Kieran Tierney’s Europa League performance against Red Star Belgrade
It was almost four months ago that Tierney said an emotional goodbye to Arsenal.
The Scotsman scored on his final Premier League appearance for the Gunners, which is something Celtic fans are finding difficult to comprehend.
Speaking after the Hoops’ draw against Red Star Belgrade, fans took to X to give their thoughts on Tierney’s performance, and brutally, his decline.
“If you had told me that Kieran Tierney was playing Premier League football for a title-contending club, mere months ago… I would have never believed you,” a Celtic supporter wrote.
“The man moves around the pitch like he’s 37 years old, is incredibly one-footed, and has a horrendous first touch.”
Unfortunately, there was a similar assessment from plenty of other Celtic fans on social media.
“I’ve been impressed how quick KT has came down to our level, was all over the place last night.”
“Tierney has lost every single bit of pace he had, like EVERY SINGLE BIT.”
“Kieran Tierney is absolute miles off it btw.”
Some Celtic fans drew attention to how some of the most experienced players in Brendan Rodgers’ squad were some of the worst on the night.
“Its all our main men are the ones who look done. Kasper ,ccv , cal , Tierney, hatate .”
“Schmeichel and McGregor are done, Tierney still looks way off the pace.”
Others turned attention to Tierney’s lack of sharpness and his lack of pace.
“Tierney doesn’t have the legs to get up and down! FFS he is only 27, not 37.”
“Tierney cannot play that Greg Taylor role. His legs are absolutely gone and he can’t get back. He’s a liability.”
“Yeah Tierney is finished pace-wise.”
It was brutal feedback for the former Arsenal man as Celtic began their Europa League campaign, with some supporters going as far as to call Tierney an ‘embarrassment’.
“Tierney and Schmeichel are an embarrassment.”
“I’ve defended Kieran Tierney for far too long this season. He’s starting to look like an absolute waste of money. I’ve lost count of how many times he’s lost his man. Better get a grip or this 5 year deal will be an absolute embarrassment.”
Tierney’s statistics against Red Star Belgrade
Tierney collected extremely harsh feedback from Celtic fans after their lacklustre draw.
Lacklustre was the perfect way to describe the Scotsman’s performance, as while he stepped up in some moments, he wasn’t up to scratch in others.
| Kieran Tierney vs Red Star Belgrade |
| 82 minutes played |
| 7 defensive actions |
| 1x dribbled past |
| 13x possession lost |
| 50% ground duels won |
| 83% passes completed |
| 40% crosses completed |
The ex-Arsenal defender lost possession 13 times at left-back, winning only 50% of his ground duels on the night.
Celtic fans are already questioning Tierney’s transfer, with a lot of work to be done for the 28-year-old upon returning to his boyhood club.
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