Scotland international Kieran Tierney is set to return to Celtic this summer in what will be his second spell at the club. The defender spent 14 years at the club before he switched to Arsenal in 2019 for a fee thought to be in the region of £25 million.
Source: Pixabay
Now at the age of 27, is Tierney a better player than in his first spell in Glasgow? With the experience he has gained in the Premier League and Champions League, there is a strong argument to suggest that is the case.
Injuries Pushed Him Down Pecking Order at Arsenal
Tierney played just 13 matches in the Premier League over the last two seasons. He was unfortunate to pick up a couple of serious injuries during those two years which kept him out of the team. The Gunners, who are third favourites at 5/2 in the Premier League winner odds for next season, opted against extending the Scotsman’s contract, paving the way for the return to Celtic.
Everton, who are 3/1 in the Premier League relegations odds for the 2025/26 campaign, were one of several clubs in England heavily linked with signing Tierney. However, he opted for a move back up north to his former club to work under Brendan Rodgers, which will allow him to remain in the Champions League.
In the 144 appearances he made for Arsenal, Tierney played as an advanced full back. Arteta encouraged him to drive forward as much as possible. That style of play is likely to continue under Rodgers, so expect to see him making assists from the left side of the pitch.
Competition With Greg Taylor
Tierney will provide healthy competition with Greg Taylor for the left back slot in Rodgers’ team. Taylor played 43 games last season and was very consistent. Having two international level left backs will allow the Celtics boss to freshen up his team throughout the campaign.
Taylor signed from Kilmarnock in 2019 as a replacement for Tierney. Now six years later, he will be a teammate of his. The two players are familiar with each other as they have been named in the same Scotland squads over the last few years.
As he showed at Arsenal, Tierney is versatile enough to play at centre back, should he be asked to do so. It means there may be occasions next season where Taylor and Tierney are named in the same starting XI.
Tierney Bidding for a Fifth Scottish Premiership Crown
The former Celtic player will be vying to win a fifth Scottish Premiership next season. He won the title in 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19. Tierney was also part of the Celtic team which won the treble in the 2016-17 campaign, while he has been named in three Scottish Premiership teams of the season.
Source: Pixabay
At Arsenal, Tierney won the FA Cup in 2020, and his team won the Community Shield in 2020 and 2023. Unfortunately for those connected to the North London club, second place was the best they fared in the Premier League during his six years there.
Expect to see Tierney get a great reception from Celtic fans when he makes his second debut for the club at the start of next season.
