Kieran Tierney 'would be up for' Celtic return as Michael Stewart makes estimate for cut price Jota transfer

The Scotland star has been told he has no future at Arsenal and will be available on a free transfer next summer

Michael Stewart reckons Celtic are in with a serious chance of bringing Kieran Tierney back to Parkhead and also believes a cut price deal for former Hoops star Jota in January would be a no brainer for Brendan Rodgers.

Scotland defender Tierney has been frozen out of the first team picture at Arsenal by Mikel Arteta, and with just six months left on his contract, can talk to clubs with the view to penning a pre-contract agreement with teams outside of England from January 1. Arsenal may look to cash in on the full back in next month's window while they can and pundit Stewart does not rule out Tierney heading back to Celtic on a permanent transfer.

Stewart also says the Hoops would be silly not to try and re-sign Jota from Rennes if he is available for a fifth of what Celtic received when they sold him to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023. Speaking on the Premier Sports Scottish Football Social Club, he said: "There has been so much rumours and chat about Kieran Tierney, with six months left on his contract. My gut is that Kierann Tierney would be up for going back to Celtic. I genuinely think he would. Could that happen in January? I wouldn't discount it."

There is also a wee bit of murmur and chat about Jota again at Stade Rennais. The new manager has come in and has seemed to suggest that Jota is not fully fit but that's he's an important player. These types of players for that sort of money you can potentially get them for, they are few and far between.

"The quality of Kieran Tierney on a free transfer? Jota for £5-6million? There are not many players like that who are available that also have a connection and know what the club is all about. As much as you want to go and find new talent, these guys are still young and hungry. Jota is 25 and Tierney is 27 so these are still young players that have got many, many good years ahead of them.

Host and renowned broadcast journalist Darrell Currie added: "I know Kieran well and have spoken to him quite a bit down the years. and the number of times he has mentioned wanting to go back at some point in his career. It just feels like the stars are aligning a bit here."

Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football.