Former Celtic attacker Kris Commons has shared his thoughts on Kieran Tierney’s current situation at Arsenal.
Tierney may have left Celtic Park nearly four years ago for a fee worth £25 million (Sky Sports), but the Scotsman remains loved by the Bhoys faithful.
The former Celtic invincible got off to a flying start during his time at Arsenal as he quickly cemented his place in their side.
But he’s struggled for minutes under Mikel Arteta this season due to the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer.
Tierney was a key man for Arteta over the past couple of seasons and Kris Commons believes the left-back is ‘too good’ to be sitting on the bench.
Commons surprised by Tierney snub
Speaking to The Daily Mail, as relayed by Glasgow Live, Commons believes Tierney’s latest snub will lead to him leaving Arsenal this summer.
The former Celtic man was left on the bench while Zinchenko was ruled out with an injury during Arsenal’s defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
“From Tierney’s point of view, when there’s an injury crisis and other guys are getting a game ahead of you in your own position, that’s when you know your time is up,” Commons said.
“His face obviously just doesn’t fit any more. I think that’s probably the last straw for him at Arsenal and it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him move on in the summer. He’s too good to sit twiddling his thumbs on Arsenal’s bench. If his face doesn’t fit and Arteta doesn’t fancy him, then there will be plenty of suitors elsewhere.
“Clubs will be lining up for Tierney’s signature in the summer – and it seems like Newcastle United are the early frontrunners to get him. I’ve seen a lot of stories doing the rounds over the past week about how Eddie Howe wants to make Tierney Newcastle’s first choice left-back next season.”
Commons added that he feels a move to Newcastle would suit the former Celtic star as he would be closer to his friends and family in Glasgow.
“Sometimes in the past, players would turn their nose up at the idea of leaving London and moving to Newcastle. It wasn’t viewed as an attractive proposition on and off the pitch,” he said.
“But it’s different for Tierney. We know he has suffered from homesickness in the past. It’s something he has spoken openly about. By moving from London to Newcastle, he would be far closer to his family. His family would only be two or three hours up the road in Glasgow.”
Of course, Tierney learned his trade at Parkhead as he came through the ranks to establish himself as a top-quality full-back.
It’s a huge shame to see his talent being wasted at Arsenal, especially after such a promising start in north London.
He was part of one of the best Celtic sides in recent history and he should be at the peak of his powers right now.
It would probably be for the best if he was to move on this summer and Newcastle seems like a good fit for him.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
