Arsenal's Kieran Tierney responds to UFC star Conor McGregor comments – 'My hero'

Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney has called Conor McGregor his ‘hero’ after the UFC superstar warmly praised him.

Tierney was in action last night for Arsenal as they came from behind twice to beat Vitoria Guimaraes 3-2 at the Emirates.

And while the Scotland international was performing his day job, McGregor was busy revealing his return to mixed martial arts.

The Irishman was later asked who was his favourite football player and the 31-year-old waxed lyrical about Tierney.

“Nowadays there’s a young guy, Kieran Tierney,” he said.

“He was the captain of Celtic Football Club and recently signed with Arsenal.

“He’s been a phenomenal supporter of mine and has been supporting me over the years and he’s rose up.

“He’s a phenomenal football player, I’m in conversation with him a lot, he’s a great guy, a good kid and I’m rooting for him.”

McGregor’s comments drew a response from the Gunners left-back, who tweeted the video and said: “Thank you so much brother!

“An icon and my hero. Learned so much from you. The King.”

McGregor was speaking at a news conference in Russia, where he announced he plans to make a return to UFC in Las Vegas on January 18, 2020.

The Irishman last fought in October 2018 when he was beaten by Khabib Nurmagomedov after a controversial build-up.

A post-fight brawl then led to McGregor being fined and handed a six-month ban while Nurmagomedov was suspended for nine months.

“The return of the ‘Notorious’ Conor McGregor will take place on Jan 18th in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada,” McGregor told reporters.

“I am in prime physical condition, I have agreed the date with the company.

“If I was to give you people the name (of the opponent), which I would love to do, the UFC would flip it because they are a crafty company, so for me, here’s this one – ask the UFC who the opponent is.”

source: express.co.uk