KIERAN Tierney, the Celtic left back, has revealed the role his hero Conor McGregor, the Irish UFC superstar, had in helping him to recover from a long-term injury as he prepares to play for Scotland in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier.
Tierney is poised to start for Alex McLeish’s side in their Group I match against Kazakhstan in the Astana Arena here tomorrow afternoon after returning to action with the Scottish champions last month.
It looked unlikely the 12-times capped defender would be involved in this double header – the national team also play San Marino in Serravalle on Sunday - during the two months on the sidelines with a pelvic problem.
However, the 21-year-old has paid tribute to McGregor, the Dublin-born former mixed martial arts world champion, for the moral support and training tips he gave him as he fought his way back to full fitness during that lengthy lay-off.
“Social media can be good and it can be bad,” said Tierney. “It lets you communicate to other people. I have relationships with people like Jake Bugg and Connor McGregor who I have met through social media.
“Throughout my injury, Connor McGregor was brilliant with me. He has a programme he does on the Wattbike that helped him get fit and he was giving me tips on that, which was amazing. That came after we got in touch through social media.
“I was doing work on the Wattbike with the Celtic physios anyway – that’s what gets you fit through different programmes. But I found out what his programme was and had a look to see if it was similar.
“I was still doing Celtic’s programme, but the little tips from him helped too. He’s my biggest hero outside of football so it was amazing. I don’t know how my results compared to his, but it was pretty good.
“It was just brilliant to hear from him. When you’re injured you always feel a bit lower than usual because you’re not out on the pitch training with everyone. So to hear from your hero and get advice from him lifted me that wee bit.”
He added: “He (McGregor) then came over to Glasgow for a question and answer thing he was doing. I got talking to his mates who said he’d love one of my Celtic jerseys.
“I sent him a few over for him and his mates the next thing I know he sent me a message saying thanks and posted a photo on Instagram. Honestly, I couldn’t sleep that night.
“He posted the picture at around 10.50pm and I was sitting there thinking ‘no way!’ That was me up the full night. I went buzzing into training.
“I’m a massive fan of his. His documentary is great when you listen to the way he talks about positivity. It’s all about mindset and how you react to people doubting you, and how to come back from defeats. I think any athlete can relate to him.
“I met him in Belfast two years ago. It was UFC Belfast and he was there supporting his friend who was fighting and I was there because I was injured at the time. I was ringside next to him and got chatting to him for ten or 15 minutes. I got a signed glove from him and a t-shirt as well so it’s class.”
Tierney also revealed he had formed a friendship with English singer-songwriter Jake Bugg through social media.
“I’ve been to a few of his concerts,” he said. “I was a major fan of his when I was younger so to get in touch with him was brilliant for me. I don’t think they’ll be telling people they’ve been in touch with me – I’m just a wee guy from Wishaw
“But it’s crazy for me. I was looking up to those people, watching documentaries and interviews on You Tube. Then to actually talk to them in person is next level for me.
“It’s stuff you aspire to, but never think it’ll happen. I never said to myself ‘I’m going to talk to Conor McGregor or meet him,’ and that he’ll be wearing my shirt training one day. You just can’t write that stuff. It’s crazy.”
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