Celtic are keen on re-signing Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney, according to reports. The 27-year-old, who is out of contract next summer, made his first appearance for the Gunners since August 2023 during Wednesday's 3-2 win over Crystal Palace.

However, the Scotland international cut an emotional figure after he was forced off midway through the second half. Tierney started on the left side of the back four but was replaced in the 69th minute for Myles Lewis-Skelly after appearing to pick up an injury to his left leg, though Mikel Arteta confirmed in his post-match press conference that it was "cramp".

It was a frustrating ending to a positive night for Tierney, who has forced his way back into Mikel Arteta's plans after almost 18 months in the wilderness. Before the Carabao Cup quarter-final tie with Palace, Tierney last featured for Arsenal against Manchester City in the Community Shield.

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He had spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad in Spain but missed Euro 2024 with Scotland after picking up a hamstring problem. Although Tierney returned to first-team action with the Gunners on Wednesday, it doesn't appear that he has a long-term future in north London.

According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners have informed the Scot that they don't intend to exercise the option of another year on his contract when his deal expires in June. The Gunners were obliged to take up the option by a certain date, which has now passed. It means Tierney is set to be a free agent next summer.

And now, it has been reported that Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers wants to secure a sensational return back to Parkhead for Tierney, who left the club in the summer of 2019 to make the switch to Arsenal. The Douglas-born defender is also open to the idea of a substantial pay cut to return to his boyhood club. He earns in excess of £120,000 per-week in north London.

For the immediate term, however, Tierney is expected to play an important role at the Gunners and Arteta was pleased with his performance against Palace. The Spaniard said: "He's playing to his strengths. That's something that we have to continue to learn, because they give you a lot of information.

"They tell you not sometimes with their words but with a lot of information, where they feel more comfortable and certainly there is a much better fit for him."