CELTIC star Kieran Tierney has only been out of action for two weeks but already the Hoops defender is eyeing a comeback for the Bhoys.
The talented teenager will miss the rest of 2016’s action after suffering ankle ligament damage in training at Lennoxtown but while supporting Celtic FC Foundation’s involvement in the Inspiring Sport project at Ravenscraig, Motherwell today he said recovery is going well and he can’t wait to get off the crutches.
“It was just ankle ligament damage from an accident in training,” he explained. “It was nobody’s fault, I just went over on my ankle so it’s disappointing but I’ll get on with it.
“The operation went well. I broke my leg two years ago and it was the same surgeon that did it so I had good faith in him. Recovery has gone well so far. There’s not much I can do just now, just a bit of upper body, but I’m just looking forward to getting off these crutches and be out and start running again.
“Ideal time would be after New Year, that’d be a another half-season for me.”
Tierney has prior experience of fighting back from injury in recent years after he recovered from a broken leg suffered in December 2014 to go on and make his first-team debut the following April.
Since then the youngster has gone on to become a stalwart for the Scottish champions, and win his first cap for Scotland, and he hopes to come back even stronger again in the New Year.
“It’s just the way it happens in football, especially the way I go into tackles, so I know I’m going to get injuries sometimes and it’s just about how you deal with it,” he said.
“I think that says a lot about your character if you can come back from something like this.
“I’m confident, I’ll work hard and I have the best physios in the land working with me so I’m grateful for them.”
The Inspiring Sport event is specifically for pupils in mainstream primary and secondary schools throughout the West of Scotland with physical disabilities or Visual Impairments and it has been organised at Ravenscraig Sports Facility in Motherwell, for the last three years.
This year the sports involved are Athletics, Basketball, Boccia, Bowls, Cycling, Football, Judo, Rowing, Table Tennis and Tennis, all with a pathway in Paralympic sport.
Gavin MacLeod, CEO of Scottish Disability Sport, said: “Scottish Disability Sport is delighted to be working in partnership with the Celtic FC Foundation through the ‘Inspiring Sport’ project, to once again deliver this fantastic opportunity for young people with physical disabilities and visual Impairments across the West of Scotland.
“The Parasport Event is a vital introduction to a variety of sports and allows the young participants to experience the value in sport and to enable them to realise the social and physical benefits associated with physical activity and sport. This is very much the core aim of the ‘Inspiring Sport’ project.”
Tony Hamilton, Chief Executive, Celtic FC Foundation added: “The longevity of the ‘Inspiring Sport’ project – now in its third consecutive year – is a testament to the thriving relationship between Celtic FC Foundation and Scottish Disability Sport.
“Using sport to deliver positive change is one of our foremost priorities, and I’d like to sincerely thank Scottish Disability Sport for helping us achieve this aim.
“Built upon shared values and common goals, this partnership affirms Celtic FC Foundation’s commitment to creating opportunities for children and young people living with disabilities.“
