Jack MacKenzie earns Kieran Tierney comparison as Aberdeen star tipped to follow in Celtic hero's footsteps

Jack MacKenzie has earned a comparison to Kieran Tierney after his recent performances for Aberdeen.

The left-back, 24, has been a regular in the Dons side this season after a few years of being rotated in and out. Peter Leven has only been in temporary charge of the team for a short team but has been thoroughly impressed by the defender and reckons this campaign has been a bit of a breakthrough.

In fact, he has even seen qualities that are attributed to Scotland star Tierney, with the ability to drive forward powerfully on his left foot. Leven feels MacKenzie needs to have more confidence in his own ability to do so. If he finds that he can take his game to another level still.

The Dons interim boss said: "Jack has done really well this year. He has come on leaps and bounds and really impressed me.

“I said to him he has the attributes, that Tierney thing about him, where he can drive forward powerfully on his left foot. I said to Jack, ‘You need to bring that more. Take the strikers that way as some of them don’t want to do it’. He just needs to believe in himself a bit more but he has shown that at times this season.

“I think he was more of a defensive full-back last season but this year I’ve seen what he can do. Jack has pace and power and just needs to pick the right decision to either shoot or pass when he’s in the box. When he drives forward he is very good.”

Left-back is arguably the strongest part of Scotland's side with captain Andy Robertson, Tierney and Celtic's Greg Taylor squad regulars, and the likes of Josh Doig on the fringes.

But Leven reckons we could see MacKenzie fighting his way in over the coming years.

“I think Jack could push into the Scotland squad over the next few seasons," he added. "He has got real potential. It’s down to him and a little bit of luck.

“Scotland are in quite a strong position on that left side. Jack is a great kid, works hard every day and wants to get better. He has a great future in the game.”