Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has dropped a major hint Kieran Tierney could be heading to Celtic before the end of the winter window.
Brendan Rodgers has confirmed the defender has agreed a pre-contract return to Parkhead with his contract at the Emirates set to expire in the summer. Celtic are understood to be exploring the prospect of bringing the 27-year-old back to the Scottish Premiership early in a loan switch – but the left-back could be kept in North London to provide cover for Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly with Oleksandr Zinchenko set to be sold.
The Arsenal boss was quizzed on the prospect of Tierney leaving this month before the Champions League clash with Girona following Rodgers confirmation of a move north of the border. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the Spaniard said: “There are situations open and I always say the same.
“If we can improve the squad with players that can impact us now and in the future, we will try to do that if it is the best thing for the club. I stand by that.”
During the clash with the La Liga outfit, Tierney would remain on the bench with Calafiori being replaced by Lewis-Skelly in the second half. And that could be a massive clue on the boyhood Hoops fan’s future.
Speaking last month, Arteta insisted that if a player was not committed to Arsenal they would not play for the club. He said: “At the moment he’s here with us. I wouldn’t play a player that is thinking about leaving or is not committed to us, so he’s fully committed. He’s enjoying playing after a long period again with a really tough injury, so live the moment.
“He’s a big part of the squad now. He deserves to be in the squad and played really well after such a long time, so that’s the only thing I can say.”
Now that Tierney has one foot out the door, will he get a serious look in from Arteta? The boss has been clear in his stance – and it could clear the path for an early arrival before the window shuts on February 3.