Former Scotland international turned pundit Don Hutchison has claimed that Kieran Tierney found his level at Arsenal, suggesting the North London club have moved a step above him.
With Arsenal winning a grand total of zero league titles since Tierney joined, the Scottish defender did play a huge role in the FA Cup win in 2020 and the Community Shield victories in 2020 and 2023—meaning that when Arsenal have won trophies, the Celtic-bound defender actually played his part.
He said: (Goldenpanda), “I don’t mean this as a dig, but I think often players always find their level. Kieran Tierney trying to play for Arsenal was a good buy at the time, but it never quite worked. He had a few injuries along the way. Sometimes you need to find your level.
“Whether that’s me playing at 36 and I’m playing in League Two for Luton, because at the time that’s my level.
“When I was 18 I was playing for Hartlepool because that was my level. Then you get to your highest possible level and you try and stay there. That’s how you are consistent.
“I think the move for him will be a good one. I think Brendan taking him back to Celtic, I think it’s a smart move. He can play in different positions. He can play, obviously, his left wing-back, his left-back is a three and a centre-back, so he’s versatile.”
Saying Tierney has found his level is disrespectful. On his day, he’s still among the very best left-backs in the world, and the Hoops are getting an improved player returning this summer. Arsenal’s loss is Celtic’s gain, with Brendan Rodgers clearly delighted to be set to work with Tierney again, given everything they achieved in his first spell at the club.
His return to Celtic is more about his love for the club than a lack of interest elsewhere, with reports suggesting a number of Premier League and European sides tried to sign him in January.
