Kieran Tierney has been heavily linked with a move away from Arsenal in recent weeks. It is believed that the Premier League club did not take up the option to extend his contract by another twelve months, which will make the left-back a free agent in the summer. The possibility of him leaving in January cannot be ruled out altogether either.
Clubs in England and around Europe are believed to hold an interest in Tierney. But most signs seem to be pointing towards a return to Celtic.
Tierney came through the ranks at Celtic and grew up supporting the club. In the summer of 2019, he left to join Arsenal in a then Scottish-record £25 million move. Now, with his time in London seemingly close to an end, is a return to his boyhood team on the cards for the left-back?
Paul Robinson appears to believe. As reported by Football Insider, the former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper said:
"It’s achievable.
“That’s probably what both parties would want, even Arsenal wouldn’t stand in his way.
“Like you say, injuries, not playing, he’s not been part of Mikel Arteta’s squad going forward.
“[Him leaving] frees that space up in Arsenal’s squad, [and] for Tierney, it’s a great fit.
“For Celtic, it seems a great fit.
“That one looks like it’s got highly likely potential of happening in January."
Major Kieran Tierney to Celtic transfer claim made
If Tierney did return to Celtic, he would immediately be one of the best players at the club. That being said, there is an element of risk involved in signing a player like him as well.
Tierney has constantly dealt with injury problems, going back to his time at Celtic Park. So, one is not really sure how much football he is capable of playing in a season. Injuries are impossible to predict. He could be available for 50 games or just 5.
That being said, having the chance to sign a player of Tierney's quality as a free agent does not come around often. So, it is an opportunity that Celtic might not be able to pass up on, if it did indeed present itself this January or next summer. One has to wonder whether this is the reason Greg Taylor has not been handed a contract extension yet.