Arsenal star ‘excited’ to leave in summer transfer window, says Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers claims Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney is ‘excited’ to rejoin Celtic and ‘champing at the bit’ to turn out for his former club again.

Tierney left his boyhood team to sign for Arsenal in a £25million deal back in 2019 and the 27-year-old is coming to the end of his sixth season in north London.

The Scotland international enjoyed a strong start to life with Arsenal and quickly established himself as a fan favourite at the Emirates, but persistent fitness problems have plagued his stay in the capital.

Following an injury-hit loan spell with La Liga outfit Real Sociedad last term, Tierney looked likely to leave Arsenal in the January transfer window, with Celtic exploring a possible deal.

But the Gunners blocked Tierney from moving north of the border and the full-back has gone to make 20 appearances in all competitions across 2024/25 the campaign.

However, Tierney is expected to part ways with Arsenal when his contract expires next month and the Scottish champions are confident of reaching an agreement for their former captain.

‘I haven’t spoken to him a lot of late,’ Celtic head coach Rodgers told The Daily Record when asked about the prospect of being reunited with Tierney in Glasgow.

‘We’ve exchanged messages and stuff, but I know his love of the club and excitement to come back here.

‘So, yes, I’m sure he’s champing at the bit to get back.’

While Celtic are searching far and wide for possible reinforcements ahead of the summer transfer window, Rodgers is keen not to lose the ‘Scottish core’ within the dressing room.

‘I think it’s very important,’ he added.

‘I think whatever league you’re in, if you’re in Spain, having a Spanish core would be important. Italy, an Italian core.

‘For me, it’s absolutely key.

Tierney joined Celtic when he was aged just seven and Rodgers believes such players are invaluable to maintaining and fostering a culture inside a club.

‘The boys that have come through Celtic here, they understand what this club’s about,’ the former Liverpool and Swansea manager continued.

‘A lot of them have been here since young guys, and they’ve come through, they’re brought up in the values of Celtic.

‘They are really pivotal to the culture of this club. But also the likes of Greg, the other Scottish boys as well, not just the guys that have come through here. I think having the Scottish core here is key to your success.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.