Brendan Rodgers says Kieran Tierney will “definitely” rejoin Celtic in the summer but hasn’t ruled out the possibility of the move happening before the transfer window closes on Monday.
The Scottish champions have just lost left-back Alex Valle after Barcelona cut short his loan spell, and it appears they are trying to convince Arsenal to let Tierney leave early.
It’s widely reported that the Scotland international has agreed to join Celtic on a Bosman deal when his Arsenal contract expires at the end of June. Presumably, the Glasgow outfit are keen to secure his services on loan for the remainder of the season.
Speaking to the media ahead of Celtic’s Champions League tie with Aston Villa, Rodgers was asked if Valle’s departure could speed up Tierney’s return.
“Ideally, it would, but at the moment he’s still an Arsenal player,” he said.
“It will definitely take place in the summer, but if we can do it beforehand, then great.”
In normal circumstances, you could see the Gunners agreeing to such a move. However, with squad depth stretched thin, Tierney has come off the bench in four of Arsenal’s last five matches.
His future may well depend on Oleksandr Zinchenko’s situation. Reports suggest Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing the Ukraine international this month. It’s hard to imagine Mikel Arteta sanctioning the departure of two left-backs, especially when his other options are the inexperienced Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori, who has struggled with injuries this season.
Will be sad to see him go. Top guy and top player.
Definitely keep him, he was looking good when he played.
Love Tierney. Top, top player and pro. All the best and thanks for always playing for the badge.
A modern day Charlie Nicholas?
Couldn’t be more opposite mate!
He’s been really unlucky with how his time here has panned out. Top pro, class player and iconic Tesco bag user.
Really sorry to see this hasn’t fully worked out for Keiran. He has such a great attitude and a wonder ability to cross the ball. Hopefully we’ll see a bit more of him this season and good luck for the future.
Hopefully he leaves with some trophies in the summer
I’m prob being dumb here but if he leaves now we get some sort of “nominal fee” from Celtic, right? Versus he leaves end of season at the end of his contract and goes to them for free. Not that it’s a big deal but can’t see Celtic spending any more money on him when they get him for nothing in 5 months… This is also a weird deal. He’s 27 and still in his prime he could stay in the PL or play in Europe in a top league. He’ll be on massively less wages to basically play 3… Read more »
KT is a rare exception in the modern game, in that he’s obviously no solely driven by money and financially can take that step down in wages. Top guy, humble tae the core, and no a greedy b*stard. Wish there was more like him.
Yeah fair enough if this was his last move before retiring etc but it’s not. He’s 27 and still a top player who could play again in the PL so why basically semi retire by playing in a league well below his quality. It’s basically 4 games against Rangers and nothing else!
+ almost certainly 8 in the champions league. This year they are on for at least 10.
There were rumours Bayer Leverkusen, Sevilla and Juventus were interested. A decent run the Champions League and a few games against Rangers is not a comparable level to what he would get professionally from those clubs. I totally respect KT’s decision to go home and play for the team he loves, and it may well be far better for him on a personal level, but let’s not try and make out he’ll be in an equivalent sporting environment.
Celtic can make do without a left back for 6 months. Its a walk in a park for them in the Scottish League. KT3 needs to stay with us till summer and fight for whatever remaining of the league and also the possibility of winning the CL with Arsenal. Coyg!
Maybe Celtic fancy going a bit further in the CL themselves… remember they’ve won it more times than we have!
But in all seriousness I hope he stays. Top pro, and a top player when fit. Not exactly the guy Arteta wants for plan A, but a very capable plan B.
Yeah lets not do Rodgers any favours the annoying nump