Kieran Tierney is a superior defender to Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, says John Hartson (Picture: Getty)John Hartson has backed Arsenal summer signing Kieran Tierney to be a great success in the Premier League and claims the left-back is better defensively than Liverpool’s Andy Robertson. Tierney, 22, completed a £25million move from Celtic to Arsenal back in August but has only made two appearances for his new club after recently recovering from a double hernia operation. However, the young full-back has already made a strong impression and assisted Gabriel Martinelli’s opening goal in the Gunners’ 4-0 Europa League victory over Standard Liege last week. Tierney will remain with Arsenal during the international break, with Unai Emery keen for the Scotland international to build up his fitness levels ahead of the side’s clash with Sheffield United. Robertson and Tierney are international colleagues with Scotland (Picture: Getty)Hartson, who – like Tierney – represented both Arsenal and Celtic during his playing days, has tipped the left-back to go on and become a star at the Emirates. The former Wales striker even believes Tierney is superior to Liverpool’s Robertson when it comes to defending. ‘People talk about Andy Robertson. I would say at this moment in time he has better delivery but Kieran is a better defensive player,’ Hartson told The Daily Record. ‘Kieran gets low and defends well and he can also play as wing-back if needed. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser thatsupports HTML5 video ‘I watched Robertson when he was playing for Dundee United when I was covering the game and he was good. ‘He went down to Hull and his career fizzled out there but Liverpool took him for £10m and now he is on fire. ‘Once Kieran finds his feet he will do well. Nobody wants to go to a new club injured and not to be playing. ‘Kieran is a proud boy and he will be wanting to prove to everyone what a good player he is. ‘He is worth £25m and he can excel in a different league because there’s a perception the Scottish league is just not as good.’ MORE: LIFESTYLE People can't get enough of this Avengers-themed TikTok videoWill sex work ever be fully legal?We believe we can stop MS, and this is howHartson is confident the £25m Arsenal spent on Tierney will prove to be a bargain down the line. ‘Arsenal probably got him on the cheap if you look at the fact Manchester United paid £50m for Aaron Wan-Bissaka,’ he added. ‘Also, average players are going for £30m or £40m and Kieran is certainly not average. ‘Celtic could have held out for another £5m or so but it is still good money they have banked, especially due to the fact he has come through the ranks and hasn’t cost the club a penny.’ Hartson has no doubts Tierney will succeed at Arsenal (Picture: Getty)Hartson is confident Tierney is in good hands, with Unai Emery building ‘something special’ at Arsenal. ‘He made his second start on Thursday in a team that is trying to do something,’ he said. ‘I think Emery is trying to build something special. ‘They have been a bit tight with the purse strings in recent years with the stadium building but you only have to look at the players they have brought in this summer, [Nicolas] Pepe for £70m, £25m for Kieran and £52m for [Alexandre] Lacazette a couple of seasons ago. MORE: UK Inside the decaying mansions abandoned in UK's most expensive wastelandBoy, 9, charged with murdering three toddlers and two adults in house fireGalarian Ponyta is Pokémon Shield exclusive, equivalent to Sirfetch’d‘Arsenal are on the right track. They will be looking to make the top four and they might be able to capitalise on Chelsea not being able to sign players because there is a transfer ban. ‘You look at Spurs and they are in a bit of a mess with players running their deals down and Dele Alli not in the team. ‘Is their manager happy? They are in a bit of turmoil and so Arsenal will be pushing for a top-four place.’ MORE: Manchester United squad ‘unconvinced’ by first team coach Kieran McKenna #JohnHartson #KieranTierney #PremierLeague
