Report: Brendan Rodgers wants Celtic to sign 27-year-old player with ‘an absolute rocket of a left foot’ | OneFootball

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers wants to bring Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney back to Celtic Park, according to a report.

The Scottish Sun has claimed that Celtic are interested in signing Tierney from Arsenal in the January transfer window.

Tierney is a former Celtic player and came through the academy, and current Hoops manager Rodgers worked with the 27-year-old left-back during his first spell at the Scottish Premiership club.

The former Liverpool and Leicester City manager personally wants Celtic to do a deal for Tierney in the January transfer window, but given the left-back’s six-figure weekly salary, it could be tricky.

The Scottish Sun has claimed that Celtic could try to agree a pre-contract with Tierney in January and then sign him on a free transfer in the summer of 2025. The Bhoys could try to do a loan deal as well. They are reportedly leading the race for the left-back.

Arsenal have decided not to take up the option to extend Tierney’s contract and will let him leave for him next summer or even sell him next month.

View: Kieran Tierney could flourish under Brendan Rodgers at Celtic

Tierney starred for Celtic under Rodgers. He was easily the best left-back in Scotland during his time at the Hoops and also played as a centre-back at times. The Scotsman won the Scottish Premiership title four times, the Scottish Cup twice, and the Scottish League Cup on two occasions with the Bhoys.

The 27-year-old has had injury problems during his time at Arsenal, and it would be fair to say that since his move to the Emirates Stadium in 2019, he has not been great.

A return to Celtic and playing amid familiar surroundings could help Tierney. He would also work under a manager who knows him inside out and helped nourish him in his younger days.

Rodgers has always rated Tierney highly and noted on BBC Sport in August 2017 after he played as a centre-back against Kilmarnock and scored: “He stepped into it really well and I knew as soon as he had his first touch that he was going to have a shot.

“He’s shown it in training a number of times, he’s got an absolute rocket of a left foot. He again shows his qualities playing at left centre-half. He defended well, was aggressive, strong, quick, and with the ball he has real quality. It was a great ball for Griff and all round he’s a big talent and a great kid who deserves it.

“He is a boy who doesn’t do daft things – he’s very focused. He doesn’t drink, he’s very concentrated in his life as a footballer, he rests, he recovers and he doesn’t spend his time doing stupid things, he’s very professional.

“He trains to the max every single day, he throws his life into being a footballer and gets his rewards for it. He’s got a great future ahead and he loves being at Celtic.”

Celtic have two recognised left-backs in their squad, but their futures are far from certain. Greg Taylor is out of contract at the Scottish Premiership giants at the end of the season, while Alex Valle is only on loan from Barcelona.