Kieran Tierney’s potential loan return to Celtic has reportedly encountered a delay, despite growing speculation around the move.

While a return to the Hoops appears increasingly likely in the summer, with his current Arsenal deal set to expire, Celtic fans are hopeful that the move can happen sooner.

With many supporters desperate to see Tierney back at Celtic Park on a loan until the end of the season, but there are reportedly complications that are currently stalling the deal.

The Daily Record reports that the future of Oleksandr Zinchenko, whose potential £30 million transfer to either Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund this month, could complicate matters.

If Zinchenko leaves, Mikel Arteta is said to be reluctant to let Tierney leave on loan this month, despite having the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori available at left-back.

The Spaniard is reportedly desperate to keep up with Liverpool in the Premier League title race, while also hoping for a European run, with Arsenal on the verge of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League.

The Gunners are currently sitting third in the table ahead of matchday 8 on Wednesday night against Girona in Spain.

Interestingly, Arteta decided to bring on Tierney this afternoon against Wolves in a 1-0 win at Molineux, ahead of Zinchenko, in the 87th minute to see the game out with 10 men, having had Lewis-Skelly sent off just before halftime.

It’s certainly not the update that Celtic supporters would have liked to receive on a Saturday night. However, the complexity of Arteta’s management style has led to the Spaniard desperately trying to have as many players available at left-back as he possibly can.