Tierney return to Celtic ‘not ruled out’ as Arsenal have ‘contingency plan’

Kieran Tierney could make a surprise return to Celtic this summer with the Scotland international considering his long-term future at Arsenal.

Tierney, 26, came through the Celtic youth system before winning back-to-back domestic trebles with the Glasgow giants. He joined Arsenal for £25million in 2019, signing a five-year contract.

But the emergence of Oleksandr Zinchenko as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice left-back has created uncertainty over Tierney’s future at the Emirates. Zinchenko, also 26, started 26 Premier League matches last season compared to Tierney’s six following the Ukrainian’s £30m move from Manchester City.

According to football.london (via the Daily Record), Tierney has “not ruled out” the prospect of rejoining Celtic as interest in the full-back grows. Newcastle United and Aston Villa are also believed to be admirers.

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The report states that Arsenal are willing to sell Tierney for around £35million. Such a fee would be difficult for Celtic to reach but it would be a statement of intent from the club after Brendan Rodgers’ return as manager.

It is claimed Arsenal have a “contingency plan” in place should one of Tierney’s suitors stump up that kind of cash. Gunners academy graduate Lino Sousa has already been added to Arteta’s first-team squad for pre-season.

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour the time has come for Tierney to leave north London. “Kieran’s Arsenal career has been a bit frustrating for him,” he toldJBI . “I really like the lad, I’ve spoken to him on many occasions, and he has really tried to do his best whenever he’s been in the team.

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“He’s had some injury problems as well, which hasn’t helped him. The way that Mikel Arteta sets up his team, with Zinchenko moving into the midfield, he seems to be a better fit for the manager.

“You can’t ask Tierney to perform that Zinchenko role – he is an out-and-out left-sided player that loves to get forward and hug the touchline. Sometimes certain players don’t click in certain teams.

“Arsenal will need to balance the books this summer. If a player isn’t happy with his situation at the club or feels he should be starting more games, then sometimes you need to move them on.

“I think if you wanted to use a word to sum up Kieran’s time at the club it would be frustrating. He’s suffered some nasty injuries that have stopped him from holding down a starting place in the team. He is a top player and a top guy.

“Whichever club he joins, if he does leave, will be getting a brilliant player.’

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