Brendan Rodgers has admitted that the financials involved in a move for Kieran Tierney are difficult for Celtic, but hasn’t ruled out his return to the Bhoys.
It was reported earlier this month that Tierney was open to a move back to Celtic given his difficulties remaining as a first-choice pick under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
It’s always seemed an unlikely switch given the money he earns and the fact he is a major asset to the Gunners. And Rodgers has made it clear that remains the stumbling block.
The Celtic boss is clearly an admirer of Tierney, however, and refused to close the door on a reunion, despite also being pleased with what he’s seen from Greg Taylor and Alexandro Bernabei at the Bhoys’ Portuguese training camp.
Brendan Rodgers on Kieran Tierney Celtic return
Rodgers said [The Scottish Sun]: “There’s been lots of players linked with here with me coming back. All I know is Kieran is like myself, we loved our time here. When I spoke to him down the road in the Premier League, every time we met up all we talked about was Celtic. He’s a Celtic man but he’s at a fantastic club in Arsenal.
“You can just never say never in football. Who knows what might happen? We wouldn’t be able to buy Kieran for £25-£30million, that’s for sure, or the figures I see banded about. I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t be able to pay the huge salary he’s on. However, one can never tell.
“What I would say is that we have a couple of really good left-backs here already. I have been really impressed with young Greg Taylor. Watching him come in and settling in at Celtic, he’s been excellent. Bernabei is still young and adapting, but I’ve liked those two during the course of pre-season.
“Kieran has an incredible history with the club. He was a massive part of my time here, so there will always be that link. You never know.”
It seems everything is on the table for Celtic this summer when it comes to transfers. Rodgers isn’t going to limit the ambition of the club, knowing that football is a strange game and that all manner of deals can be worked out.
Who thought Rodgers would be the Celtic manager this time six months ago?
It’s worth noting too that there have been reports Tierney is willing to take a wage cut to return to his boyhood heroes and again work with Rodgers.
Regardless, Rodgers sounds happy with his left-back options at the moment. Unless there is a blockbuster transfer or loan in the offing, expect this duo to be his main options on that flank heading into the new season.
In other news, Celtic gearing up for more transfer announcements.
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