It is safe to say that Celtic fans were not impressed with the club's activity, or lack of it, in the winter transfer window. They brought in Jota on a permanent basis and Jeffrey Schlupp on loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season. But there is another major move they made, which has now been officially announced.
That is the agreement with Kieran Tierney on a pre-contract. The Scottish international's current deal with Arsenal is set to run out at the end of the campaign.
Of course, Tierney grew up supporting Celtic and came up through the club's academy ranks before establishing himself as a regular starter for the Hoops. Now, he will be making an emotional return to his boyhood club in the summer.
In the interim report released on the official Celtic website, Peter Lawwell wrote in the chairman's statement:
"During the January 2025 transfer window, we acquired the permanent registration of Jota and the temporary registration of Jeffrey Schlupp. In addition, we extended the contract of Kasper Schmeichel and entered into a pre-contract agreement that will see Kieran Tierney return to Celtic in July 2025. "
Celtic quietly make official Kieran Tierney announcement
Of course, Brendan Rodgers had already pretty much confirmed the pre-contract agreement while talking to the media. Now, it has been mentioned in an official statement from the club as well.
There is now no doubt about it, Tierney will be a Celtic player once again soon. That is fantastic news for sure and hopefully, he is able to keep his fitness issues at bay and go on to have a brilliant second spell in the green-and-white jersey.
It is believed that the club had tried to bring him in this winter itself, on a loan deal from Arsenal. But the Premier League club decided against the idea, despite Tierney's lack of game time in London.
It seems like they wanted to have him around, just in case of an injury. That is understandable as well. Arsenal would not want to find themselves short of options at left-back at an important juncture of the season.