Neil Lennon has endorsed the rumoured Celtic return for Kieran Tierney but warned that the player’s condition may not be the same as it was when he left five and a half years ago. The 27-year-old will leave Arsenal in the summer after the opted against extended his contract.
In the hours after Tierney started in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace in the League Cup it emerged that Arsenal would not take up their option and Celtic were keen on a sensational return.
Speaking to PLZ Soccer, Celtic legend Lennon said that Celtic should sign the player and the opportunity to play regularly would appeal to the fullback.
“He went off injured on Tuesday night, but it might have just been cramp.
“Listen, if Kieran was available, you’d have to sign him. I just wonder about what strength and condition he is at the moment. There’s no doubting his quality as a player.
“He’s on high money as well at Arsenal, but I’m sure he’s desperate to go out and play regularly, but he’s had such a difficult time with injuries.”
Tierney has been unlucky with injuries and requires time and maybe even a full pre-season before being expected to return to regular game time. A manager that knows and trusts him would be ideal in the moment that Tierney finds himself and Brendan would be that. It is clear that the pair stay in touch, having been pictured at a Foundation Event in London.
Lennon was the Celtic manager tasked with replacing Tierney, opting to sign Boli Bolingoli and Greg Taylor. Fortunately, the latter proved to be a shrewd signing, going on to become a key figure in the squad in recent seasons. Brendan has said that he hopes that Taylor will sign a new deal but Celtic will certainly be looking at a deal for Tierney, which would increase Celtic’s Scottish contingency within the squad and improve the quality.
Our January transfer window, will be dominated by the rule, that only allows 3 changes to our original 25man squad that was put in place?
However, that still allows ourselves to look at lennon Miller as a replacement for Holm, and to loan Miller back to motherwell for the remainder of this season?
Also rocki would possibly be the biggest replacement within our squad at present, especially with a need for another wide option, quite quickly now also imo?
Palma possibly getting back into our 20man SPFL squad now, due to the injury to forrest, will be required until the back end of January now, especially with 2 CL matches still to play?
Palma has a lot to still do, to convince Rodgers that he is worth keeping within his 25man squad plans?
Still think Palma could well lose his position also, and would allow for another midfield option, especially as I would be surprised if Hatate was with ourselves still next season?
So could Tierney be looked upon as a final change within our 25man squad?
There is still a place available, especially with monty filling a homegrown requirement at present, but isn’t within the picture whatsoever for Rodgers?
Could allow Rodgers to go with a 3 at the back, as another tactical option for himself, even if he has been reluctant to do so to date?
Tierney might be regarded as a limited game time player at present, but could them games be within CL and bigger SPFL games?
Can see the positives of adding Tierney to our 25man squad, but such a deal could well be determined by whether any other injuries are sustained, before the closing of the window, and where our standing is within the CL group stage also?
So overall, this is going to be a very different January transfer window this season, with no winter break, along with 2 CL matches still to play, which we hope to extend to another 2 at least beyond January, and only a maximum of 3 additions allowed to our original squad as replacements to what we already have in place?
So a potential testing January remains in store for ourselves imo?