On a difficult opening night of the new season against a stubborn Dundee side, it was a familiar Celtic name that helped deliver victory. Benjamin Nygren scored the winner to begin the Scottish Premiership defence, but it was Kieran Tierney who supplied the decisive cross.
The left-back has arguably been Celtic's best player since Martin O'Neill returned in January, although his resurgence has gone somewhat under the radar. That may be because expectations remain so high for a player who once moved to Arsenal in a reported £25m deal.
Even so, Tierney still recorded 12 assists last season, more than any other Celtic player, and scored six goals from defence. He is one of O'Neill's most trusted lieutenants and is contracted until 2030, but reports have suggested a possible return to Spain, raising fresh questions about how important he is to Celtic.
Sportsound: Reaction as Celtic kick-off their title defence with a narrow win over Dundee
Why was Tierney so influential against Dundee?
He created more chances than any of his Celtic team-mates and was directly involved in the move that decided the match. Despite Kasper Hogh's 0.88 expected goals (xG), Tierney had the most shots on target for Celtic against Dundee, with two, and he sent in eight crosses, the most of any Celtic player.
"He looked like old Kieran Tierney, he was bombing forward, getting in the box, had a couple shots on goal, doing all his defensive stuff, he was excellent,"said chief sports writer Tom English.
Excellent was also the best description of Tierney's cross for Nygren, which broke Dundee's resistance. In the first half, the reigning champions were pushed hard by a Dundee side that set out to be aggressive and frustrate the hosts, and that is exactly what they did.
As the game wore on, Celtic began to create more chances and it was Tierney's trusted left foot that opened the defence, allowing Nygren to head home from six yards out with a pinpoint delivery.
His impact on this Celtic team, however, is nothing new. Only Falkirk's Calvin Miller, now at Hearts, registered more assists last season. Among Celtic players, only Daizen Maeda created more big chances, with 14 to Tierney's 12.
Defensively, he continues to rank among the best defenders in the league for tackles, clearances and blocked shots. And although there has been talk of managing his minutes, only three full-backs across the league played more than Tierney, even if he completed the full game on only 10 occasions in the league.
"Those players are the football club,"manager Martin O'Neill said of Tierney and captain Callum McGregor.
"They are the backbone of Celtic, and I'm delighted to have them."
With last season's on-loan left-back Marcelo Sarrachi having returned to his parent club Boca Juniors, Celtic currently have no other senior left-backs on their books.
"Of course [it's important to bring in cover for Tierney], that's something we're looking at,"O'Neill told BBC Scotland.
"Kieran, with the best will in the world, will not get through every single game. Last year, he was recovering and didn't see some games out because he puts so much into it. We're looking that way."
Is there really Spanish interest in Tierney?
It was reported today that Osasuna have enquired about Tierney, although the same report suggested Celtic chiefs will reject any offers for the 29-year-old. Given the lack of options in that position, and Tierney's importance to the league champions, that is not a surprise.
"Kieran's going nowhere, he loves the football club,"said his former captain Scott Brown on Sportsound.
"You never know what can happen, but I love watching the wee man play, I love his passion. When there's a 50-50 he wins it, when a ball goes into the box he puts his head on it."
"It's the quality on the other side as well. You can see why he went down to Arsenal. Other teams will want that, and Celtic are lucky to have these three [Tierney, McGregor and James Forrest] for that long a period."
Club captain McGregor also impressed in the league opener, although there have also been whispers that he might be on the way out. Those rumours appear to have eased in recent weeks.
"Callum has retired from Scotland so he's had the time off, and he looks really fresh,"said Brown.
"He is the brains of this time, he's got the understanding and leadership."
"If any young kids are watching, watch Callum McGregor, watch Kieran Tierney, watch James Forrest. You're not at a football club like this for that long if you can't understand the other side of the game."
"I hope he's here until he's 45!" - O'Neill hopes McGregor is staying at Celtic
- Celtic
- Scottish Premiership
- Kieran Tierney
- Martin O'Neill
- Osasuna
Key Facts
- Celtic beat Dundee at the start of their Scottish Premiership title defence.
- Kieran Tierney provided the cross for Benjamin Nygren's winner.
- Tierney finished last season with 12 assists and six goals from defence.
- Osasuna have reportedly enquired about the 29-year-old.
- Celtic have no other senior left-backs after Marcelo Sarrachi returned to Boca Juniors.
