GARY KEOWN: Why the thought of Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor being back together at Celtic is a matter of sadness - not celebration
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The very thought of it has Celtic supporters giddy with delight. Kieran Tierney back in the Hoops, back in front of the Green Brigade with the loudhailer, back tearing up that left flank like the days of old. The rumour mill has been buzzing over a return for the Scotland international since he was spotted chatting with manager Brendan Rodgers at a gala event for the club’s charity foundation in London in October – and the chances of it coming to pass look to be increasing by the day.
![[McGregorlifts the League Cup after last weekend's penalty shootout win over Rangers]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/21/16/93384235-14216921-image-m-16_1734800309260.jpg)
Rodgers didn’t exactly deny an interest when quizzed on Friday. It is commonly established now that the likelihood of putting together a deal is being actively investigated. There seems a keenness on all sides to properly get down to business now that Arsenal have confirmed they will not be triggering a one-year contract extension for the defender in the summer.
![[Tierney's time at Arsenal has been interrupted by fitness problems]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/21/17/93384209-14216921-image-m-18_1734800407681.jpg)
It’s a big story, all right. An exciting one. Yet, the prospect of a generational talent such as Tierney going back to Celtic at the age of 27 is a matter of sadness rather than celebration. Indeed, the idea of him going back to effectively end his career at Celtic Park alongside fellow academy graduate Callum McGregor feels nothing short of tragic.
![[The Scotland defender made an impact on loan at Real Sociedad last season]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/21/17/93384229-14216921-image-a-19_1734800459580.jpg)
Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor could be reunited at Celtic next season. McGregorlifts the League Cup after last weekend's penalty shootout win over Rangers. Both men are hugely talented players. Both, particularly if Tierney re-signs, will go down as figures of real importance in the team’s recent history. But looking beyond the partisan and parochial nature of the Scottish game, the feeling remains that both should be doing more with their careers than living as big fish in the stagnant, whiffy pond of the SPFL.
![[Collum has criticised the VAR team who failed to spot a Rangers penalty in League Cup final]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/21/17/93384515-14216921-Collum_has_criticised_the_VAR_team_who_failed_to_spot_a_Rangers_-m-23_1734801322934.jpg)
