Celtic are said to be keeping a close eye on Kieran Tierney’s situation at Arsenal, potentially setting the stage for a sensational return to Parkhead. The 27-year-old left-back has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury picked up during Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign.
After struggling for game time under Mikel Arteta, who favored Oleksandr Zinchenko, Tierney spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad. Now, with his future at Arsenal in question, Celtic could look to bring back their former star as they monitor his recovery and Arsenal’s plans.
Kieran Tierney’s last appearance for Arsenal was in June 2023, featuring for just 14 minutes in the Community Shield final against Manchester City. Since then, the Scotland international has been on the sidelines, slipping further out of Mikel Arteta’s plans.
According to talkSPORT, Arsenal have now reportedly informed Tierney that he is free to leave the club, fueling rumors of a potential return to Celtic. The outlet claims the Hoops are keeping a close watch on the situation, with a move back to Glasgow not off the table for the 27-year-old defender.
Kieran Tierney, a product of Celtic’s youth system, made his debut in April 2015 and quickly established himself as a vital player for the club. His rise at Parkhead eventually led to a record-breaking £25 million move to Arsenal in August 2019.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has often praised Tierney from their time together at the club. When asked about potential links last summer, Rodgers diplomatically responded, saying: “Listen, I would never speak about Kieran other than the time that I had him here. He’s an Arsenal player, and that’s where he’s at.” Despite this, the speculation about a return to Celtic continues to grow.
Rodgers has also acknowledged Tierney’s desire for regular game time, reflecting on the defender’s previous status at Arsenal: “I think for himself, Kieran will want to play. He’s not a young player anymore. He’s a player who will want to play football, especially where he was with Arsenal for his first couple of years, and at times captaining the club.”
He added, “Obviously, they’ve got a really strong squad, and Mikel’s done a fantastic job there, but for Kieran himself, I’m sure he’ll be looking to go out and play. That’s the way I would see it.” Tierney’s hunger for first-team action could open the door for a potential move, with Celtic fans eager to see him return.