Kieran Tierney was welcomed onto the pitch like a hero for Arsenal’s final home game of the 2024/25 Premier League season on Sunday.
This is Tierney’s final bow at the Emirates, ahead of his expected free transfer to Celtic, and a return to his homeland.
Last season, the 27-year-old was out on loan at Spanish side Real Sociedad, including playing in the Champions League.
But then, in the summer, Tierney suffered a cruel injury for Scotland at Euro 2024, and it kept him out of action until December.
At that time, and during his time in the treatment room, there wasn’t any talk of Tierney making a return to Celtic.
On top of that, the Scotland star hadn’t played for Mikel Arteta in two years, so nobody knew what was going to happen to his future, including the player himself.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Kieran Tierney on playing for Arsenal again ahead of Celtic return
With Arsenal adding another left-sided defender to their ranks in the summer, in the form of Riccardo Calafiori, you would have thought and expected that was it for Tierney in London.
The player himself told talkSPORT that ‘people thought’ he ‘wouldn’t be back at the Emirates’, but he has proven them wrong by getting appearances and minutes under his belt.
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That’s why the all-action left-back was keen to thank those who have stayed with him, and been ‘great with me’, after his final home match during the 1-0 win over Newcastle United.
“Since I have come back from my loan spell, they have been absolutely amazing with me,” stated Tierney.
“Nobody knew what was going to happen last summer. Probably, people thought, I wouldn’t be back at the Emirates.
“But, I have come back, I made an appearance, and everyone has been great with me, especially the fans. I am very grateful for them.”
Tierney’s stats and game time for Arsenal this season
One of the positives about Tierney coming back to Celtic is the fact that he will be fresh and with games under his belt.
Added to that, any time he has earned minutes, whether it’s in his usual position or as a left-sided winger, he has done very well and looked like his old self.
But with the emergence of teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly, it has meant that, whilst Tierney has been used, it hasn’t been to the volume he would have liked.
Games Minutes Starts Off the bench Unused substitute
19 384 4 15 20