John Hartson has doubts about his former club making a move for Kieran Tierney.
Brendan Rodgers reportedly wants to bring the left-back, whose Arsenal contract expires next summer, back to Celtic.
Tierney, who initially came through the Hoops’ academy before moving to the Gunners for a then-record £25m in 2019, has made 125 appearances in North London.
He has been ravaged by injury, though, missing 79 Arsenal games due to various issues.
While his abilities are coherent, Hartson has realistic concerns about Celtic signing Tierney due to his fitness: “I think there is a lot of work to do to get that one over the line,” he said (Go Radio via RecordSport).
“Kieran Tierney – not played the games that he has – can Celtic get him back, and all of a sudden get him playing 40-50 games a year like they used to? I very much doubt it because he has been injury-prone.
“Yes he is a fantastic, fantastic player and is one of Celtic’s own. He would need to drop massively in wages.”
A Tierney Celtic return would come with utmost fanfare and be one of the most significant Scottish football transfers in recent history.
He would add undoubted quality to Rodgers’ team, although, like several fans, Hartson has legitimate concerns.
Tierney’s injury issues have been well documented, and he is reportedly on £120,000 per week at the Emirates; for context, Kyogo Furuhashi earns £20,000 per week at Celtic.
The Bhoys have struggled to nail down a quality, first-choice left-back since Tierney left five years ago. It doesn’t look like Alex Valle will sign permanently, and Greg Taylor shows no signs of penning a new contract.
It would be quite the story if Tierney was to return and, ultimately, be his own long-term replacement.
