‘He’s a quality player’ – Celtic captain addresses transfer links with Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney
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Celtic skipper Callum McGregor says he is aware of the rumours linking Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney with a return to the club and admits the left-back would be a ‘quality’ addition. Tierney was handed his first appearance of the season in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace last week, playing 69 minutes before being replaced by young talent Myles Lewis-Skelly.
![[Arsenal v Crystal Palace - Carabao Cup Quarter Final]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2190718218.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The 27-year-old Scotland international was subsequently named amongst Mikel Arteta’s substitutes as Arsenal ran out 5-1 victors over Palace in the Premier League, though he did not make it off the bench at Selhurst Park. Since swapping Celtic for Arsenal, Tierney has struggled with a series of injury problems, which have ultimately hampered the full-back’s progress and seen him drop down the pecking order within Arteta’s squad.
![[Sunderland v Celtic: Pre-Season Friendly]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-824258930.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Tierney spent last season on loan at La Liga outfit Real Sociedad in a bid to get his stuttering career back on track and it appears another move is likely in January, with the Gunners deciding against extending the defender’s contract. Celtic have emerged as the clear front-runners to re-sign Tierney, who won four Scottish Premiership titles with the Hoops before leaving for Arsenal in a £25million switch in 2019.
![[Arsenal v Crystal Palace - Carabao Cup Quarter Final]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2190589736.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Should Tierney rejoin his beloved boyhood team, he would be reunited with McGregor, who took over the captain’s armband from Scott Brown three years ago. ‘He’s a quality player. I’ve been in war with him for a number of years now!’ McGregor said when quizzed on the speculation surrounding Tierney, who is out of contract at Arsenal next summer.
