Kieran Tierney is a name that will always be synonymous with Celtic as speculation over a dramatic return to Parkhead for the boyhood fan bubbles under the surface.
Earning his stripes as an iconic figure in recent Bhoys history, the Scotland international made 170 appearances, registering eight goals and 37 assists.
Reports over the last couple of months have claimed Kieran Tierney wants to return to Celtic and there may be potential for a reunion with Brendan Rodgers somewhere down the line, with a loan move favoured by all parties.
Having been out of the picture at Arsenal due to injury, tongues were set wagging after Tierney and Rodgers were spotted together at Celtic FC Foundation’s annual gala dinner.
Whether there was anything more to that or not remains to be seen. Nevertheless, uncertainty over Greg Taylor’s Celtic contract and loanee Alex Valle’s long-term future could create an opening at left-back in the not too distant future.
In light of this, Scott Brown has had his say on whether he could see Tierney making a sensational return to Parkhead in the future.
Scott Brown on Kieran Tierney Celtic return speculation
Speaking to The Daily Record, Brown believes the decision ultimately lies with Tierney, who will need to weigh up his chances of regular football every week or whether he can break back into the Arsenal line-up after recently returning from injury.
He explained: “He is at Arsenal now and he obviously wants to go back and play games. It’s up to him what he does and where he goes. If he was ever to come back, it would be unbelievable. But for me, I think he’s got to focus on Arsenal and get back into that team.
They’re a fantastic team as well. You never know, he could go and win the Premier League with them. When he first got into the team, they loved him. He’s still only 27. I’d like to see him do something like win the Premier League.”
Later, he added on why his old teammate was a pleasure to play alongside, as he said: “The best thing about him is his drive forward, his pace, his quality, his desire to get forward. He’s so hard to beat on a 1v1. And he’s got an end product.
“When he does get forward, he’s delivering in the box. He’s top class. He’s by far one of the best players I’ve ever played with. Him and (Virgil van Dijk). Top. The two of them.”
What Kieran Tierney has said about potential Celtic comeback
Back in April, Tierney refused to rule out a Celtic return when pressed on the matter by Jim White, stating: “Who knows? You never know in football; it’s a connection that I’ll always have, somewhere I imagine I’ll always be linked with if I’m to move from any club, so you never know.”
It does feels like the Lennoxtown graduate crossing paths with his old club again one day is inevitable, but football isn’t linear; circumstances would need to align for that to happen.
As fans, there is always a tendency to dream of your former heroes pulling on the jersey once again. Will it ever happen? Time will tell.
