What Kieran Tierney has said about Celtic transfer dream as Arsenal exit nears
Kieran Tierney is poised to complete a sensational return to Celtic. And the deal could be confirmed as early as next week.
It emerged on Friday that the Hoops had begun negotiations with Tierney's representatives about a move back to Parkhead. Tierney, 27, left his boyhood club for Arsenal in a record-breaking £25million deal in 2019 but could now seal a stunning return to Glasgow on a free transfer. The Scotland defender is available for nothing this summer after the Gunners opted against triggering a 12-month extension clause. And that's opened the door for Brendan Rodgers to swoop, with Celts currently in discussions over a pre-contract.
It's believed the Scottish champions are also exploring the possibility of a loan move during this window, with talks expected to take place with Arsenal. And while the left-back has interest from rival Premier League clubs and abroad, KT has his heart set on an emotional move back to his beloved club.
The lifelong fan has made no secret of his wish to return to Celtic Park, where he burst onto the scene aged just 17 and lifted eight major honours - including four titles. Speaking on The Currie Club podcast with Darrell Currie in 2022, Tierney said: "I think when a player who loves the club leaves there’s always that, ‘what if he comes back’ and you can’t rule anything out.
"I’m always going to love Celtic, I’m always going to support Celtic so you never know in football, you genuinely don’t. I think when a player who loves the club leaves there’s always that, ‘what if he comes back’ and you can’t rule anything out."
Just like his time at Parkhead, Tierney quickly established himself as a fans' favourite at the Emirates and was even tipped as a future captain after an impressive few years in North London. But the defender's Arsenal career has been cruelly derailed by injuries in recent seasons, with his only appearance this term coming against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup on December 18.
Tierney - who spent last season on loan with La Liga high-flyers Real Sociedad - was given a rousing reception by the home crowd as he made his first start in over a year for Mikel Arteta's side. But now, it could be the last time he pulls on the red and white jersey.
In an interview with the Athletic during the summer, Tierney once again reiterated his desire to play for Celtic during his prime years. He said: "I don’t regret it. I still miss it but I knew life would never be the same. I was living my dream. Being a footballer is the dream but playing for Celtic was the ultimate. I left that to go and challenge myself in the Premier League and come up against the best to see how I’d cope. If I go back, I want to be feeling how I did there before.
"I’ll be a different player to what I was, as I’ve been away for years, but I wouldn’t want to go back if I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent in my body. I know the intensity and the demand to win so, if I go back, it will be when I’m still feeling good."
Almost five-and-a-half years since his money-spinning move down south, Tierney looks set for a return north of the border as the club's marquee signing. Boss Rodgers has always kept in close contact with KT, who he worked with during his first trophy-laden spell at the club. And the Northern Irishman was tight-lipped on a possible homecoming for the Prodigal Son when asked last month.
He said: "Yeah, we'll always be linked with top players, and especially players that are one of us. Kieran was an instrumental part of a really, really successful period when I was here, and his talents then took him on to another challenge in the Premier League.
"So, yeah, we'll be linked with lots of names, Kieran obviously, naturally because of his situation. But for us, we'll only ever tell you when we sign a player, once he's signed."
