Ex-Celtic star Kieran Tierney has responded to UFC superstar Conor McGregor after the fighter revealed KT is his favourite footballer.

The Notorious was asked at a press event which player he admires the most.

McGregor, 31, didn't hesitate to chat about his pal Tierney who he struck up a friendship with while the defender was at Celtic.

Tierney even gifted McGregor a shirt in which the latter trained for an MMA bout.

Speaking at an event where McGregor announced he'd be returning to the octagon in 2020, he was asked about his favourite current football star.

And he responded: "Nowadays there's a young guy, Kieran Tierney.

"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."

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Footage of the interview emerged on social media and Tierney himself couldn't resist the chance to respond to "King" Conor.

He said: "Thank you so much brother! An icon and my hero. Learned so much from you. The King".

Irishman McGregor, 31, previously heaped praise on Celtic fans for unfurling a banner before a big match depicting the fighter's mantra "We're not here to take part, we're here to take over."