Sport nationKieran Tierney’s Potential Celtic Loan Move Hits a Snag
Kieran Tierney’s potential loan return to Celtic has reportedly encountered a delay, despite growing speculation around the move. While a return to the Hoops appears increasingly likely in the summer, with his current Arsenal deal set to expire, Celtic fans are hopeful that the move can happen sooner.
With many supporters desperate to see Tierney back at Celtic Park on a loan until the end of the season, there are reportedly complications that are currently stalling the deal. According to The Daily Record, the future of Oleksandr Zinchenko, whose potential £30 million transfer to either Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund this month, could complicate matters.
If Zinchenko leaves, Mikel Arteta is said to be reluctant to let Tierney leave on loan this month, despite having the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori available at left-back. The Spaniard is reportedly desperate to keep up with Liverpool in the Premier League title race, while also hoping for a European run, with Arsenal on the verge of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League.
The Gunners are currently sitting third in the table ahead of matchday 8 on Wednesday night against Girona in Spain. Interestingly, Arteta decided to bring on Tierney against Wolves in a 1-0 win at Molineux, ahead of Zinchenko, in the 87th minute to see the game out with 10 men, having had Lewis-Skelly sent off just before halftime.
It’s certainly not the update that Celtic supporters would have liked to receive on a Saturday night. However, the complexity of Arteta’s management style has led to the Spaniard desperately trying to have as many players available at left-back as he possibly can.
Celtic fans have been reacting to the news on social media, with some expressing their frustration at the delay. “If Arteta is playing tough then we can wait until the summer and get him for no transfer fee,” said TonyTony. “I’m sure Arsenal directors will override Arteta as some fee is better than no fee at all.”
Others have suggested that Celtic should withdraw their interest in Tierney due to his injury history. “Seppington” said, “If Arseteta is going to keep him and keep playing him then we should not be signing a pre-contract agreement with a player who is more than likely going to end up on the treatment table before he ever gets to us.”
“Don” added, “Anyone think Arsetetta is doing this purposely to assist the team pretending to the same one he used to play for? Agree with other comments, withdraw the loan pre-contract offer. It’s a very risky move as it is but if Arsenal are going to keep bringing him on for minutes and risk him getting injured.”
However, not all Celtic fans are giving up hope of signing Tierney. “Graham Laurie” said, “Can you not just trust Brendan? There is no WAY he would be looking to bring Tierney home if it was for purely nostalgic reasons. If that was the case, he’d have tried to re-sign Edouard as well.”
It remains to be seen whether Celtic will be able to secure Tierney’s signature on loan this month. One thing is certain, however – the Scottish champions will have to wait a little longer to find out if they will be reunited with their former star.
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