Kieran Tierney has revealed he was ‘surprised’ that no harsher sanction was handed out for the challenge that left the Celtic defender nursing a broken nose, with the Hoops favourite admitting he ‘feared the worst’.
The Celtic full-back was caught in a clash with Dundee’s Cameron Congreve after a high boot struck him in the face, resulting in a fractured nose.
While he avoided a lengthy spell on the sidelines, there were genuine concerns that the damage could have been far more serious as Tierney lay still for several minutes during the victory at Celtic Park.
Now, speaking about the incident, Tierney has explained he ‘feared the worst’ while receiving treatment on the Celtic Park surface during the Scottish Cup triumph.
‘feared the worst’ with Celtic Park injury vs Dundee:
Tierney’s recent seasons have been disrupted by fitness problems, though since returning to Celtic he has endured just one major setback.
However, after being caught by the boot, the defender confessed he initially believed the issue was far more serious than it proved to be.
Tierney told the Daily Record, “I feared the worst, anything around your nose and mouth area, especially when you’ve had it before.
“I’m really lucky to only have a broken nose, to be honest. I’m just glad it wasn’t worse and I was able to play again so soon, because my record of being available this season, touch wood, has been pretty good.
“So I want to keep that going and don’t want to miss any more games.”
‘was surprised’ with Dundee player’s Celtic Park punishment:
Although Congreve was shown a yellow card for the incident, Tierney acknowledged he expected a sterner decision to follow.
He added, “I jumped for a header, won it and got clattered by a boot.
“I was surprised more wasn’t made of it because I knew I’d won the header, I wasn’t low and it was a high boot.
“We have seen them given against us, so I thought at the time it was going to be [a red card]. You see plenty of examples of decisions for and against you, sometimes it does go for you and others it doesn’t.”
Fortunately, Tierney has now returned to full sharpness and, with Marcelo Saracchi also back available, Celtic appear well stocked once more in the left-back department.
With Kilmarnock next on the schedule, Martin O’Neill faces a tricky call over which of the two defenders should get the nod.
It is, however, a dilemma the Celtic boss will gladly accept as the club’s injury concerns begin to subside.