Colin Kazim-Richards has hailed Kieran Tierney’s decision to return to Celtic, insisting the move was always on the cards – no matter how far the left-back’s career went elsewhere.
Tierney’s comeback will begin next month, bringing the 27-year-old full circle after a challenging spell down south and in Spain. Injuries stifled his progress at Arsenal and during his loan stint with Real Sociedad, but Kazim-Richards believes his connection with Celtic made a return inevitable.
Kazim-Richards went a step further, suggesting that Tierney might even be on the phone trying to convince his old captain Scott Brown to rejoin him at the club. The duo, who formed a strong bond during their time together in Glasgow, remain close.
He said: (BetIdeas), “I think that regardless of whatever happened in KT’s career, if he went on to become the best left-back in the world, he would have always returned to Celtic one day. He would have always gone back home.
“Obviously, he’s been heartbreakingly unlucky with his injuries. He could have been a massive player for Arsenal – they spoke about him as a future captain, everyone loves him there – but sometimes you don’t have the luck in your career. Celtic is Kieran and Kieran is Celtic. He loves Celtic.
“He might be thinking to himself, you know what, while I’m still young – and I don’t want to go back when I’m 34, 35, 36 – I can go back and still massively impact the club I love for the next five or six years. I can go there and be one of Celtic’s best players. I can play in the Champions League with my boyhood club. I can win more titles.
“The one thing I can say about him is, even if he would have had an absolute blinder at Arsenal, even if he wasn’t plagued by injury, he’d always go back home.
“I wouldn’t surprise me if he’s been calling his mate Scott Brown and asking him if he would want to go back! KT and Broonie were like butter on bread.
“You know when it’s minus 50 outside and he’s in a T-shirt, he gets that from Broonie. I love KT. I hope it all goes well for him because he deserves it.”
Tierney’s decision to return while still in his prime speaks volumes. He’s not come back to wind down his career – he’s here to be a leader and a difference-maker on the pitch.
His Champions League ambitions, title hunger, and strong bond with the club give Brendan Rodgers a player who ticks every box – in quality, mentality, and identity.
Whether Scott Brown joins him in some capacity remains to be seen, but the suggestion alone highlights the depth of their relationship and the culture Tierney wants to build around him.
Celtic fans will welcome Tierney back with open arms – and if his body holds up, they’ll be getting a top-quality player who knows exactly what it means to wear the Hoops.
