Kieran Tierney may not have featured on the pitch, but the Celtic defender still managed to catch the eye during Scotland’s World Cup opener.
More than 10,000 days after Scotland last appeared at a World Cup finals in France, Steve Clarke’s side returned to football’s biggest stage and got off to a winning start.
It was far from a classic.
Haiti made life difficult throughout, and Scotland never quite found the rhythm many supporters had hoped for. In the end, a deflected effort from John McGinn proved enough to separate the sides as Scotland secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
The performance may not live long in the memory, but the result certainly will.
With Morocco holding Brazil to a draw in the group’s other match, Scotland ended the opening round of fixtures sitting top of Group C.
That is all that matters at this stage of a tournament.
Tierney, meanwhile, remained on the bench alongside fellow Celtic star, Anthony Ralston.
While he was not involved on the pitch against Haiti, supporters still spotted a familiar sight as Scotland’s players arrived at the stadium.
Tierney was carrying a Celtic backpack.
Tierney wi the Celtic bag getting on the Scotland bus before the game…🤣 #scotland #worldcup pic.twitter.com/WiawpMheMk
— Googan (@googanhoops) June 13, 2026
It was only a small detail, but one that quickly caught the attention of supporters following events on social media.
After returning to the club last summer, Tierney played a major role in the domestic double-winning campaign, contributing 18 goals and assists from left-back while becoming one of the first names on Martin O’Neill’s teamsheet whenever fit.
Whether he gets minutes against Morocco remains to be seen.
But even from the substitutes’ bench, the Celtic defender still found a way to give supporters a little reminder of where his heart lies.
