Tierney and Rodgers (Image: SNS)
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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he has “exchanged messages” with incoming left-back Kieran Tierney, as he prepares to return to his boyhood club this summer.
The 27-year-old left-back is out of contract with Arsenal at the end of the season and has already agreed to rejoin his former manager at Celtic.
Speaking ahead of his side's game against Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership, Rodgers has admitted that conversations have taken place between him and the Celtic academy graduate. “I know he will be,” said Rodgers, when asked if Tierney will be excited to return to the club that gave him his big break in football.
“I haven't spoken to him a lot of late. We've exchanged messages and stuff, but I know his love of the club and excitement to come back here.
“So yes, I'm sure he's champing at the bit to get back.”
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Brendan Rodgers 'thinks' Celtic will be busy this summer in the transfer window
Though previous manager Ronny Deila gave Tierney his Celtic debut back in 2015, it was Rodgers who progressed the left-back’s game into what it is today. During his first spell at the club, Tierney made 170 appearances for the club, scoring eight times in the process.
In just four years at the club as a first-team player, the Scotland international won eight major honours at Celtic, including four Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and a further two League Cups.
He left the club for £25 million back in summer 2019 to join Arsenal, then managed by Unai Emery, who faced Celtic in the Champions League this season with Aston Villa. In six seasons with the North London side, he has made 141 appearances under Emery and Mikel Arteta respectively, spending a year on loan at La Liga side Real Sociedad in the 2023/24 season.
He won an FA Cup with Arsenal in 2020, as well as two Community Shield victories in 2020 and 2023, respectively.