DECISION TIME
Huge Kieran Tierney to Celtic transfer update as Arsenal make decision on January loan move
He is still chasing another winger and striker too
CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers is intensifying his search for left-back cover after being told pre-contract capture Kieran Tierney WON’T be coming in this transfer window.
Rodgers confirmed the Arsenal star’s sensational return to Parkhead for next season on the eve of the 4-2 Champions League defeat to Aston Villa – and also stated he hoped to agree a deal for him to arrive immediately on a five month-loan.
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But Gunners boss Mikel Arteta now wants to keep the 27-year-old for the rest of their domestic campaign and especially their push for the Premier League title.
It’s a blow for Rodgers who earlier in the week saw loan left-back Alex Valle return to parent club Barcelona before then being sent to Serie A outfit Como.
He only has Greg Taylor for the position although stopper Liam Scales can also play there if necessary while right-backs Alistair Johnston and Tony Ralston would be makeshift options.
The Celts boss is also searching for a direct striker replacement for £10million departure Kyogo Furuhashi while it’s understood he’d also like to add another winger.
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It looks certain to be a hectic last few days of activity for Rodgers – ins and possibly outs - with the transfer window slamming shut on Monday night.
Speaking earlier this week, Rodgers confirmed he wanted to bring Tierney back as as possible.
Asked if Valle's exit could speed up his return, Rodgers said: “Ideally, it would.
“But at this moment he’s still an Arsenal player.
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“So I think everyone would agree that that will definitely take place in the summer.
“If we can do it beforehand, then great.
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“Could that happen? I don't know.
“I think that, like I said, we'd prepared that for the summer.
“And I don't want to speak too much on it, with the greatest respect because he's not a Celtic player here now with us.
“But if we were able to do it, of course we would like to do that. But that's out of our control at this moment in time.”
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