Kieran Tierney has revealed the role that Conor McGregor played in accelerating his return from injury.
In mid-December the defender had to rule himself out of action as a pelvic problem became just too uncomfortable to play through.
Watching a few matches with his mates in the stand wasn’t too difficult to cope with but as weeks became months the UFC superstar came to the rescue.
McGregor’s reach and impact runs into the millions through social media with Tierney one of his many Scottish based fans.
Social media connected the two athletes and at a Q and A session two years ago the McGregor fitness regime played a role in restoring KT back into the Celtic side.
“Throughout my injury Conor McGregor was brilliant with me,” the defender told The Sun. “He has a programme he does on the Watt Bike that helped him get fit, and he was giving me tips on that, which was great. Conor’s my biggest hero outside of football so it was amazing.”
Tierney added: “I was doing work with the Celtic physios anyway, but I found out what Conor’s programme was on the bike, and had a look to see if it was similar.
“I was still doing Celtic’s programme but the tips from Conor helped too. 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 are injured you always feel a bit lower than usual, because you are not out on the pitch training with everyone.
“So to hear from your hero and get advice from him lifted me that wee bit.
“We got in touch through social media. Conor then came over to Glasgow for a question-and-answer session, and I got talking to his mates who said he’d love one of my Celtic jerseys.
“I sent a few over for him and his mates, and the next thing I know he sent me a message saying thanks, and posted a photo on Instagram.
“I’m a massive fan of his. I love the way he talks about positivity. It’s about mindset and how you react to people doubting you, and how to come back from defeats. Any athlete can relate to him.”
Tierney is currently in Kazakhstan on international duty but his mindset is ticking down towards the Glasgow derby a week on Sunday.
After sitting helplessly on the substitute bench when Celtic lost at Ibrox in December the defender will be looking to make up for lost time with a little help from McGregor as Celtic look to open up a decisive gap in the race to eight-in-a-row.
An unusual and interesting type of move, good luck to @MarkHill73 https://t.co/itaczvAJ36
— Joe McHugh (@videocelts) March 20, 2019