Anthony Ralston insists old Parkhead pal Kieran Tierney would be welcomed back with open arms if Celtic can pull off a stunning reunion.
Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers is considering a big push to bring the former star back to the club in January on a loan deal from Arsenal with a view to a permanent deal next summer. Tierney is out of contract at the Emirates at the end of term – with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta opting against triggering a one-year extension clause.
The door has been opened to a sensational second stint at Celtic – where the 27-year-old burst through the ranks before his record breaking £25m move to the English Premier League in 2019. Current left back Greg Taylor’s contract is up at the end of the season and a new deal remains unsigned, while Alex Valle is on loan from Barcelona for the year with no buy option in place.
Ralston was part of the same youth team as Tierney and he insisted Celts would love to have him back on board. He said: “For sure. He is a terrific player. We know him very well. If that is something that comes to the fold then of course. Regardless of his situation and what he decides to do, I am sure it will work out because he is a top player. I wish him all the best in terms of his own situation. If he comes back then that will definitely be the case.”
Ralston admitted there is work to be done to seal the deal for Tierney’s return. But he has no doubt Celtic are in the hunt for an elite player who has proved he can cut it at the very top level. Ralston has known Tierney for almost 20 years and he insisted he knew the defender was going to make the big time from day one. He said: “We went through the academy together. He was only a year older than me. So you are talking when we were kids, eight and nine, when I would have first come across him, then all the way through.
“Obviously, when you are kids you are always at different stages, always on different paths, but most certainly when he broke into the first team we were similar ages. He broke in before me, but I was involved in the first team and I saw him getting involved in squads. You could see he was going to go on and be a terrific player – which he has turned out to be.”
Tierney’s talent has never been up for debate – but the Scotland ace has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, which has limited his game time at Arsenal. The defender came back from a spell out to spend a stint on loan at Real Sociedad in Spain last term.
But he got crocked on Scotland duty during the 1-1 draw with Switzerland at the Euros last summer. Tierney lasted 69 minutes of his comeback for the Gunners in Wednesday’s 3-2 League Cup win against Crystal Palace – his first start for the club in 19 months.
Ralston said: “I was involved in that Scotland game where he got injured and it was great to see him back playing again the other night. We’ve got Scotland qualifiers coming up so it’s a good sign. I hope everything goes well for him now.”
Tierney was a huge fan favourite in his first spell with the Hoops – where he was a major part in three consecutive Trebles under Rodgers and Neil Lennon. The left back was loved for his down-to-earth nature – such as being pictured turning up for Scotland duty with plastic bags rather than designer luggage.
Ralston joked: “I don’t have a clue if he’s trendier these days – I can’t comment about that! He’s just normal. That’s an important trait to have in this profession. You want to keep yourself as grounded as possible and he does a good job at that. If you look at the likes of Callum McGregor and James Forrest, we’ve had good people here since we were young to see the way you are meant to be.”