With pre-season well underway and anticipation building around Celtic’s return to action, Kieran Tierney is focusing on football—not the headlines.
The returning fan favorite is shutting out the noise about Brendan Rodgers’ future, convinced that speculation won’t shake the manager’s mindset or the team’s goals.
No Time for Distractions at Celtic Park
Rodgers may be entering the final year of his contract, and the silence on an extension beyond 2026 has naturally triggered questions.
But for Tierney, the chatter isn’t a concern.
“I don’t think he’ll bother too much about the kind of outside noise,” Tierney said calmly.
“He’s just the type to get on with it. And as players, that’s our job too—head down, work hard, do what’s expected.”
The Scotland international, who recently returned to Celtic from Arsenal, stressed that commitment and discipline are what count most right now—not contract rumors.
Rodgers Still Has the Fire That Drove Celtic’s Success
Tierney knows Rodgers better than most. After all, the manager was a key influence in Tierney’s earlier success at the club, leading them to multiple trophies during his first spell.
And now that they’re back together, Tierney doesn’t see any change in Rodgers’ drive.
“It’s actually amazing to see how much effort he still puts in. He’s the same guy I worked with before.
The other night against Sporting Lisbon, you could see how much he still cares,” Tierney explained, referring to their pre-season win.
“He was shouting, pushing us for more. That kind of passion is what it takes to win trophies.
Doesn’t matter if it’s a friendly or a cup final—you need to be at it all the time.”
The Perfect Partnership with Captain Callum McGregor
For Tierney, part of what makes Celtic tick so well under Rodgers is the chemistry between the manager and team captain Callum McGregor.
“Having Callum and the manager together is just perfect,” Tierney said.
“They both lead by example, and their standards set the tone for the rest of us.
You don’t get days off mentally at this club—you’ve got to be switched on every single day, even in training.”
A Sentimental Return to the Parkhead Pitch
Today holds something a little extra for Tierney.
After six years away, he’s set to walk out at Celtic Park once again as the team hosts Newcastle in a pre-season friendly
. And for the lifelong fan who came through the club’s ranks, the moment means a lot.
“It’ll be a very special day,” he said with a smile.
“It’s been six years since I’ve played on that pitch. It’s going to be amazing.”
Looking Ahead with Purpose and Focus
While off-pitch questions might linger about Rodgers’ long-term plans, Tierney’s message is clear: the focus is on the work ahead.
For Celtic, it’s about preparing properly, staying sharp, and competing at the highest level across every competition.
Whether it’s a friendly, a Champions League qualifier, or a Scottish Cup tie—Tierney says the expectations never change.
And with Rodgers still driving the team forward, that intensity isn’t going anywhere.