UFC SUPERSTAR Conor McGregor has named Arsenal’s “phenomenal” 25million ace Kieran Tierney as his favourite footballer.
And the feeling is clearly mutual, with Tierney gushing in response on Twitter.
Celtic-mad McGregor has previously been spotted training for a fight in a Hoops jersey – and has now revealed his admiration for his friend Tierney.
The former UFC Lightweight Champion was asked who his favourite footballer past or present was.
And he responded: “It’s a young guy called Kieran Tierney.
“He was the captain of Celtic Football Club and he recently signed with Arsenal.
“He’s been a phenomenal supporter of mine, he’s been supporting me every year.
“And he’s rose up – he’s a phenomenal, phenomenal football player.
“Check him out he recently just signed with Arsenal.
“I’m in conversation with him a lot, he’s a great guy, a good kid and I’m rooting for him.”
And Tierney was clearly touched by McGregor’s words, posting the video of McGregor speaking about him on Twitter and saying: “Thank you so much brother!
“An icon and my hero. Learned so much from you. The King @TheNotoriousMMA”.
Tierney has been battling injury problems for most of 2019, and earlier this year even revealed that his “hero” McGregor had been helping him through his injury battles.
He said in March: “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.
Conors my biggest hero outside of football so it was amazing.
Having eventually beaten his injury troubles, the Scotland international is still waiting to be handed his Premier League debut by Unai Emery.
He has featured three times in cup competitions so far – generally impressing Arsenal fans, despite being twisted inside out by ex Spurs man Marcus Edwards for Vitoria’s first goallast night.
The 22-year-old has been an unused substitute for the Gunners’ last two league games, but could finally be handed his Premier League debut when they face Crystal Palace on Sunday.
