02 May 2025 10:37:38
Been looking back at Kieran Tierney's injury record, from his Celtic days right up to this season, and thought it was worth sharing - especially given all the talk about his future role in the team.
Here's the breakdown:
2016/ 17 - Out for 86 days (torn lateral ankle ligament)
2017/ 18 - 23 days (calf injury)
2018/ 19 - 8 days (knock)
2018/ 19 - 78 days (hip injury)
2018/ 19 - 6 days (calf stiffness)
2018/ 19 - 14 days (another hip issue)
2018/ 19 - 34 days (groin)
2019/ 20 - 97 days (shoulder)
2020/ 21 - 15 days (groin)
2020/ 21 - 10 days (virus)
2020/ 21 - 29 days (knee)
2020/ 21 - 33 days (second knee injury)
2021/ 22 - 17 days (ankle)
2021/ 22 - 99 days (knee surgery)
2023/ 24 - 55 days (hamstring)
2023/ 24 - 30 days (another hamstring injury)
2023/ 24 - 18 days (abductor)
2024/ 25 - 160 days (serious hamstring issue)
In total, that's around 850 days missed due to injury. But if we break it down a bit more:
Hamstrings: 3 injuries, 245 days
Knees: 3 injuries, 161 days
Groin/ abductors: 4 injuries, 97 days
Ankles: 2 injuries, 103 days
Hips: 2 injuries, 92 days
Shoulder: 1 injury, 97 days
The rest (knocks, virus, etc) were short-term
It's not a great record, admittedly. But here's the thing: most of those issues - hips, groin, knees, even the ankle and shoulder - haven't come back recently. In fact, since about 2022, it looks like Tierney's only really struggled with one area: his hamstring. And that is a concern, no doubt, especially for a full-back where sprinting and quick turns are constant.
So here's a thought: would it make sense to move him to left-sided centre-back? It's a role he's played before, and it's less demanding physically. Plus, we're a bit light in that area anyway. If we did that though, we'd need to bring in another left-back.
Would people be open to re-signing Greg Taylor, and maybe tying Jeffrey Schlupp down to a short-term deal (2-3 years) to cover the position? It wouldn't cost the earth, both know the league, and it would let Tierney stay involved without constantly risking another long spell on the sidelines.
Curious what others think - do we try to get Tierney back to being a full-back, or adapt now and manage his fitness more long-term? And are Taylor and Schlupp good enough to rotate the left-back role in that scenario?
02 May 2025 11:08:28
A thot mb Teirney could be employed as a left sided CB which didn't go down to well with few posters which is fine but a really do think we need a commanding CB evn to challenge CCV, ad Be Happy with Taylor Schlup competing for LB.
02 May 2025 11:18:35
Great post Weejoe.
Looks like we are well covered in the left side of the team. I was thinking about the injuries KT had before you posted and thought that LCB would be his second position after LFB. I'll agree with you about his injury management and something that has to be looked at constantly. Before Deila started him in the firstt team as LB he was playing Left Midfield with the development squad. Perhaps he could be used as a backup to Jota if Maeda leaves and leave Taylor/ Schlupp as rotation at LB.
Maybe it's time for BR to assess the RB spot as there's only Johnston and having Ralston for cover. At RB Ralston isn't at the same level as Taylor/ Schlupp, so maybe strengthening the RB side maybe something BR is thinking about.
02 May 2025 11:46:17
I loved it when KT was first at Celtic because he would always take his man on and get to the byline.
But
He never takes a man on when he plays for Arsenal and the vast majority of his passes are backwards.
It depends how Brendan wants him how to play.
02 May 2025 11:46:54
Would have to mave to 5 at the back imo hopefully Greg as wb.
02 May 2025 11:49:01
I do have a feeling Tierneys long term position will be at CB, which im not ecstatic about. there's no way his body will hold out as a wing back. Not a hope in hell. His injury record has improved a lot this season but this is without question down to 10min cameos.
02 May 2025 11:54:58
Very informative post and it reiterates what some have said. There's no doubt we will not see the same KT that left for Arsenal and another worry for me was the lack of protection he received from some very robust and unfair challenges during his previous time with us.
02 May 2025 18:16:09
To me it will be a major surprise if BR greatly alters the current set - up of the team .
I think it could cause friction and weaken team spirit to alter team’s formation, meaning players drop out, to try to fit in a regularly injured player .
It doesn’t make a lot of sense to try and to protect a certain player, yet others see no protection for them.
03 May 2025 07:54:25
Would Celtic have signed any other player with such a long injury record, but it's Kieran Tierney, so Celtic will sign him, In my opinion, l think Celtic have been lazy in signing somebody with so many injuries, could Celtic not have signed someone younger, that has pace, what does this say about Celtics staff who have the job of bringing players to Celtic.
03 May 2025 10:51:36
I like the wee man but business is business.
How can you rely on someone with his record to help build a stable team?
Bear in mind that he will be seen by opposition as a possible weak spot to be exploited.
A fit and injury free KT is world class but, I would not be signing him.
just my thoughts and opinion.
03 May 2025 13:17:51
I have little doubt that our referees who have reached the top rung of Scottish referees ladder, will be equally adept from the start of August to allow tackles on Taylor that doesn’t impair him permanently but makes him feel as sore as possible, will be allowed to go unpunished, as the refs were during K T previous playing for Scotland, that didn’t finish up well, as he thought of retiring, but instead took up an offer Arsenal were foolish enough to offer to him.