KIERAN Tierney last night insisted he is capable of coping with the pressure of Celtic’s crucial Europa League meeting with Molde on Thursday night if he is handed a start by manager Ronny Deila.

Tierney staked a strong claim for inclusion in the Group A match against the Tippeligaen champions with an accomplished individual display in the 3-1 win over Aberdeen at Celtic Park at the weekend.

The 18-year-old set up Leigh Griffiths for the opening goal in the Premiership game with a penetrating delivery into the visitors’ penalty box just before half-time and performed maturely throughout the 90 minutes.

Many Celtic supporters would like to see the youngster given the nod ahead of Emilio Izaguirre at left back for the rematch with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side despite his lack of experience at European level.

Izaguirre has often been caught out defensively in continental competition and, along with several of his team mates, acquitted himself poorly in the 3-1 defeat to Molde in Norway last month.

That disappointing showing and poor result led to criticism of Deila and speculation about his future that is sure to intensify if the Scottish champions slump to another loss.

Tierney did well in the 2-2 draw against Fenerbahce at Celtic Park last month on his debut in Europe and is confident he won’t be intimidated by the atmosphere or overawed by the opposition if he is selected.

“I will be ready if I’m picked,” he said. “It’s 50/50. If he picks me I’m ready. It is obviously hard with Emilio there because he is a great player. To come in for him is hard. I just need to be ready and grasp my chance if it comes.”

Tierney believes his run-out against Fenerbahce will be beneficial if he is preferred to Izaguirre, the Honduran internationalist who required hospital treatment following a training ground bust-up with Nadir Ciftci last week, against Molde.

He said: “That would be the most important experience so far for me. That was the best experience and definitely the toughest one. Fenerbahce were a great team and Molde are a good side as well so that will help me.”

Tierney, who originally hails from the Isle of Man, is in confident mood after helping Celtic move six points clear at the top of the Premiership table with their 3-1 triumph over Aberdeen at Parkhead on Saturday.

“Overall the team performance was great and that was the most important thing,” he said. “We got the win. We bounced back really well last week. Beating Dundee United and Hearts away and then Aberdeen at home was great. It is just great for the club overall.”

“I was delighted to have a hand in the first goal. It was a good cross, but Leigh still had plenty to do to get in between two big defenders. He rose well and it was a great header from him.

“That is probably one of the most important parts of my game - especially the way the manager wants to play. You need to be up and down, up and down. I am just trying to do that as much as I can.

“The manager is great with me. He tells me just to stay calm. I just do what I have been learning in training. I have been at Celtic for 11 years, that is 11 years training, so I am ready for it.”