Twitter Reacts: Kieran Tierney to Arsenal
By Nathan Dunn
As most fans are aware of at this point, Scottish international and former Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney has joined Arsenal after the Premier League side reached Celtic’s asking price of £25 million. Tierney grew up with the club, breaking into the Celtic first team in 2015 under manager Ronny Deila, where he quickly overtook Emilio Izaguirre’s starting spot. In his time at Celtic, Tierney won four SPFL titles, three Scottish Cup triumphs, and three Scottish League Cups as part of the historic Treble Treble. Personally, Tierney has captained both Celtic and the Scotland National Team as well as winning the PFA Scotland Player of the Year three times, Scottish Football Writers’ Young Player of the Year three times, Celtic Young Player of the Year three times, PFA Scotland Team of the Year three times, and Goal of the Season for both Celtic and PFA Scotland in 2017-18 for an incredible hit against Kilmarnock.
Kieran Tierney leaves behind a fantastic run at the club, where he had the opportunity to be apart of a historic team in Scottish football, but he will now miss the opportunity to be apart of ten in a row. This seems to be the best move for him in terms of professional ambition and becoming a better footballer, but he won’t be winning nearly as many trophies down south as he did at Celtic.
The news initially broke through Twitter towards the end of Celtic’s 1-1 away draw with Cluj in the first leg of their Round Three UEFA Champions League Qualifier:
BREAKING: Arsenal have agreed a fee with Celtic over the transfer of Kieran Tierney who is on his way to London for a medical, Sky Sports News understands
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 7, 2019
The initial reaction from Neil Lennon and Scott Brown on the news following Celtic’s draw in Romania:
Celtic manager Neil Lennon and Scott Brown say Kieran Tierney will go with the best wishes of everyone at the club if he completes his move to Arsenal. https://t.co/jJ6avurA2b pic.twitter.com/y71IdBN5Xb
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) August 7, 2019
Celtic Football Club’s official statement on Thursday confirming the news and a nice send-off video:
We can confirm that Kieran Tierney has signed for Arsenal FC, after completing a medical in London.
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 8, 2019
Full #CelticFC statement ⬇️
Thanks for the memories, @kierantierney1 6⃣3⃣
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 8, 2019
Good luck at @Arsenal, KT 🍀 pic.twitter.com/Xk8ddEqDMw
Kieran Tierney took to Twitter to show his appreciation for his bhoyhood club:
💚 @CelticFC pic.twitter.com/YGCkTiuwfz
— Kieran Tierney (@kierantierney1) August 8, 2019
Many media members had their say, here are just a few:
Arsenal are getting a fine player, a wonderfully grounded boy, been brought up in humble surroundings, I can only wish Kieran Tierney a great career. Been brilliant for Celtic. Good luck mate 👍🏻
— John Hartson (@JohnHartson10) August 7, 2019
All the best to @kierantierney1 at Arsenal... £25 million is cheap... once he’s fit Arsenal will have a good player on their hands⚽️
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) August 7, 2019
Fact...No excuses from the Celtic board not to spend now... with 9 and 10 very possible and the Champions League riches very close...
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) August 7, 2019
Here is what some of the fans think:
Split opinions on @kierantierney1 today, I think he’s an inspiration for every young Celtic fan and player on the books, came through to captain club and country and part of a treble treble , sad to see him go but wish him well 🍀⚽️
— Simon Donnelly (@SimonDonnelly13) August 8, 2019
If @kierantierney1 leaves it would be worse than Rodgers for me, I was heartbroken when Paul McStay threw his jersey into the jungle thinking he was away. Leaving before 9 or 10 doesn’t sit right with me for a true Celtic man.
— Andy John Simpson (@simmy188867) August 7, 2019
IF its true then THE BEST OF LUCK. Hes ONE OF US and always will be!
— WE EARNED OUR NINE IN A ROW ⭐️🏆🇮🇪1967 (@JGlasgowCelticK) August 7, 2019
To leave for 4/5 times the wages AND get a us record transfer fee at the same time is amazing for such a young bhoy that came through from the Celtic ACADEMY.
No matter what, there is only
ONE KIERAN TIERNEY! pic.twitter.com/kuq1qeWYW7
😭😭💔 @kierantierney1 https://t.co/erGzliedQi
— Adam Lynch (@AdamLynch27) August 8, 2019