Self-styled transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Kieran Tierney is discussing a potential return to Celtic.
The Scotland international, 27, had been expected to leave Arsenal in the summer but suffered a hamstring tear at the European Championships that has forced him to focus on his recovery.
While a return to Celtic Park isn’t surprising – the 27-year-old earned hero status winning the title as a homegrown product four years in a row between 2015-2019 – it’s likely the player will have to take a big salary cut to make it happen.
Tierney joined the Gunners in a £25 million deal in the summer of 2019 but immediately struggled with injuries. He didn’t get much of a chance to shine for Unai Emery but did become a mainstay in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineups during the Covid era. Having struggled with knee issues, he eventually had knee surgery at the tail-end of the 22/23 campaign leading Arsenal to dip into the transfer market.
The arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Arteta’s preference for an inverted playmaker-style left-back reduced Tierney, who struggled to adapt to the demands of the position, to a bit part role.
He spent last season on loan with Real Sociedad – a largely successful spell during which he made 26 appearances – although his domestic-season flirtation with hamstring issues would later come back to haunt him on the international stage.
A recent start in the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace afforded Tierney one last chance to play in front of the Emirates crowd – an opportunity he savoured.
Now it looks like he’ll be heading home where he’ll be hoping to get his career back on track. Given his age, he still has years ahead of him, so let’s hope it works out well and he can stay injury free.
Always had a soft spot for KT, was a bright talent when he came in and really was the first hint of quality in a very average team. Going to miss him and wish him all the best!
Yes! People will label him a flop. But he was very much part of this new culture that has emerged at the club.
Definitely not an Arteta player. So he got unlucky there, as well as with injuries.
But he was a ray of hope in the dark days of Emery. And for that, I’ll always love him.
Like Ramadale actually very much an Arteta player in terms of character and mentality, just not playing style unfortunately. Both were instrumental to changing the culture at the club. Farewell Kieran, wishing you healthier spells ahead and may your shirt sleeves continue to get shorter.
That West Brom goal just sums him all up.
Snow. No gloves. Explosive pace. Curling finish. Warrior scream.
What a guy.
He absolutely was an Arteta player until his injuries meant he couldn’t be relied upon, so we bought the best available left back which required changing the system. We originally wanted Lisandro Martinez, then have played Kiwior, Calafiori and MLS at LB, all of whom are very different players. I really think Tierney could have been a mainstay if he could have just managed his fitness better
I very respectfully disagree.
I just think that his lack of composure in tight spaces and inability to invert meant he was always on borrowed time at Arsenal, regardless of injuries.
He’s an old fashioned, overlapping, aggressive LB. I don’t think Arteta has shown any interest in that profile of LB since he arrived as manager.
Agree, though Arteta counted on Tierney’s quality–and character–as he solidified the defense. But once that was achieved, he clearly wanted a Zinchenko or Calafiori, or a Lewis Skelly–players who helped overload the middle if the park in a way Tierney could not. The often repeated idea that Arsenal have “outgrown” Tierney is, I think, exactly right.
He is a prime example of teta’s weakness. Teta can’t work with what he has, ie he is tactically weak. Tierney is PL level so why buy 3 LB when you already have a good enough backup.
Great lad, all the best KT!
All the best KT. Hope it goes well for you back home.
At one point he’s going to be our future captain. Still remember all the fights he had defended Xhaka. He has all the right mentalities to be great for us, got a lot of fights In him. Will wish him all the best and stay injury free.
Never saw KT give less than 100% for Arsenal. Let’s hope he can stay fit to fulfil his ambitions. Go well
All the best, KT. You were there during some tough times.
Real shame. Proper defender and none of this inverted bollocks. Made of glass but wish him all the best.
So nice to see KT get the respect he deserves in these messages, and that his quality and commitment to the cause are not forgotten (and at least he won the FA Cup with us in 2020). Classy guy who has never publicly complained about losing his starting place (like Rambo).
Great player who always gave his all for the club. Good luck, Kieran!