Sport nationThe January transfer window is fast approaching, and speculation surrounding Kieran Tierney’s future at Arsenal is heating up. The 27-year-old Scotland international has been linked with a return to Celtic, the club where he began his career. However, Celtic legend Chris Sutton has expressed his scepticism about the prospect of Tierney returning to the Scottish Premiership.
Tierney’s contract at Arsenal is set to expire in the summer of 2025, and the English Premier League side are reportedly reluctant to trigger an extension. This has led to speculation that Tierney could be on his way out of the Emirates Stadium, with Celtic emerging as a potential destination.
However, Sutton believes that Celtic’s chances of luring Tierney back to Glasgow’s East End could be blown out of the water due to the financial packages other clubs can offer. In his Daily Record column, Sutton wrote: “There’s already talk of Kieran Tierney coming back. I can understand the excitement among fans. It would be a real feather in the cap if they can persuade him to return.”
Tierney is undoubtedly a quality player, but Sutton has concerns about his fitness. The Scotland international has struggled with injuries in recent years, and Sutton believes that this could be a major obstacle in any potential transfer. “Tierney is a quality player – if he’s fully fit. That’s the big question after the last few years,” Sutton wrote.
Finances are also a major concern for Sutton. While Tierney may not be motivated solely by money, Sutton believes that the financial packages offered by other clubs could be too good to turn down. “Finances for one. I can’t say I know him that well, but it doesn’t seem that he is overly money-orientated. That could be good news for Celtic,” Sutton wrote.
However, Sutton also believes that Celtic’s financial model could be a major obstacle in any potential transfer. The Scottish Premiership side have a reputation for being prudent in the transfer market, and Sutton believes that they may be unwilling to take a risk on Tierney’s fitness. “Even taking a slash in wages, it would still mean Celtic taking a serious deviation from their financial model. It would be a lot of money for not a lot of sell-on value,” Sutton wrote.
Sutton also believes that Tierney’s potential return to Celtic could have a major impact on the club’s existing players. Greg Taylor and Alex Valle are both currently vying for the left-back spot, and Sutton believes that Tierney’s arrival could push them down the pecking order. “Tierney could be the answer to all of the above. I’ll not be holding my breath,” Sutton wrote.
In conclusion, while Kieran Tierney’s potential return to Celtic is an exciting prospect for the club’s fans, Chris Sutton believes that there are several obstacles that need to be overcome before any transfer can take place. Tierney’s fitness, finances, and Celtic’s financial model are all major concerns, and Sutton believes that the Scotland international’s future is far from certain.
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