FITNESS is the focus for Kieran Tierney who admits he is loving life on pre-season tour with Celtic.
The teenage left-back has played 45 minutes in both of the Hoops' games so far and has carried on his consistency that earned the boy from Motherwell so many plaudits last term.
With Champions League qualifiers just a week away, Brendan Rodgers has been working his squad hard as he attempts to whip them into shape to face either Estonian side Flora or Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar.
Read more: Stuart Armstrong: Celtic, Champions League and exam results
And in the wake of their 1-0 win over Sturm Graz on Sunday, Tierney was delighted to report that he is well on his way to being fully match sharp.
“It was a good test for us," said the defender about the win in Austria. "Another 45 minutes each which is good for our fitness.
Read more: Callum McGregor: Celtic players are on our best behaviour for Brendan Rodgers
“Yeah, I’m getting there, definitely. The training has been hard, we are doing double sessions most days so it’s great for us all.
“Yeah it was [a bit cooler in Austria] to be fair, the other night was brutal for our first match. But it all helps us.
“Everyone has [been working us hard]. We are all blowing but it’s for our benefit. It’ll pay off during this season.
Rodgers gave his team a well-deserved day off yesterday to take some time out after a busy first week in Slovenia.
The Bhoys have endured double sessions most days in soaring temperatures, but it still hasn't been enough to put Tierney off his new gaffer.
“Yeah I'm enjoying working with him," he told Celtic TV. "Everybody is. The way he works, the way he does things is great.
“The trip is good so far. The weather is great.
“[Playing Ljubljana on Wednesday] is another good test for us. We need to keep getting our fitness up.”
While staying at their mountain retreat in Maribor, Tierney has teamed up with Manchester City loanee Patrick Roberts, and he revealed the pair have struck up a friendship on as well as off the park.
He added: "Our age is similar and we sit next to each other in the changing room, so he’s a good guy.
“He’s quiet. He’s just himself and is funny when you are with him. A good guy."
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here