Arsenal are likely to maintain their interest in Celtic’s Kieran Tierney and return with a third bid for the player, but the 22-year-old is reportedly happy to stay in Glasgow.
The Daily Record reported that Tierney has not asked for a transfer, nor has he given any indication of being unhappy at Celtic.
According to the Daily Record, the left-back will only consider a move if his current employers tell him that they are willing to let him leave.
So far that has not been the case, with Celtic rejecting a second bid from Arsenal for Tierney worth £25million, as reported by BBC. However, the Daily Record claimed that the Gunners are likely to make a revised offer, also worth £25m but with fewer add-ons and more of the fee up front.
Last season was a frustrating, injury-hit one for the Scotland left-back, who was restricted to 21 Scottish Premiership appearances as a consequence, but he still made his presence felt with five assists in the time that he was available to Celtic.
The season prior was one in which Tierney truly underlined his importance to the Scottish champions. In 55 appearances in all competitions, he scored four times and provided 11 assists, a very good return for a defender.
In each of the three seasons prior to 2018/19, he was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year, as well as winning the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year and Celtic Young Player of the Year awards, highlighting how consistently he has performed for the club in the early years of his career.
Celtic’s reliance on Tierney has been reduced by the summer signing of Boli Bolingoli from Rapid Vienna, although the Scotland man still had the greater creative presence of the two.
Over the last two seasons, Tierney has scored five goals and supplied 17 assists in 95 games, averaging 0.05 goals and 0.18 assists per game.
In that time, Bolingoli has played 73 games, scoring three goals and providing 10 assists for an average of 0.04 goals and 0.14 assists per game.
While the Belgian’s arrival should ensure that Celtic have some creativity from the left-back role if Tierney leaves, the Scotland defender has been a stellar performer for the club and his refusal to push for a transfer should be welcomed by Lennon and Celtic supporters.
Celtic fans, are you happy that Tierney has indicated a desire to remain at the club or should a third Arsenal bid be accepted? Share your thoughts by commenting below!
