Kieran Tierney’s performance for Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid was a reminder of the quality Celtic supporters can expect to see when the full-back re-joins the Hoops in the summer.
Coming on in the 80th minute with the Gunners leading 3-0, Tierney played a crucial role in helping Arsenal secure a valuable clean sheet. The result, a stunning 3-0 win over the reigning Champions League holders, will undoubtedly shock the football world, but for Tierney, it was another example of his resilience and reliability when called upon.
Tierney is set to return to Celtic after agreeing a four-year deal on a pre-contract, and his involvement in big European nights like this shows just what a signing Celtic will be getting.
Despite Mikel Arteta opting not to trigger the option to extend Tierney’s contract for an additional year, the Spanish manager still turns to the Scotland international in key moments. Whether it’s against the likes of Real Madrid or in other games, Tierney has regularly been a dependable figure off the bench, providing both defensive solidity and attacking support when needed.
It’s clear that, while his time at Arsenal may be winding down, Tierney is still an important player for the North London side, and his contributions off the bench in the Champions League highlight his quality. For Celtic, his return is exciting. The full-back is set to bring not only his experience in top-flight European football but also a level of professionalism and determination that will undoubtedly benefit the squad.
With recent performances from Jeffery Schlupp not quite meeting expectations, Celtic supporters will be eager to see Tierney slot straight into the team and deliver the level of consistency and quality he’s shown at Arsenal. It’s the kind of player that Celtic need as they look to improve next season, and there’s no doubt that Tierney’s impending return will be met with great anticipation by the Celtic support.
Tierney will no doubt be hoping for another strong performance next week when Arsenal head to the Bernabéu. Whatever the outcome, though, he’s a player who will leave his mark on the competition – and in just a few months, he’ll be back in Glasgow, ready to do the same in the green and white hoops.
