Kieran Tierney, who is set to return to Celtic in the summer on a four-year deal, played an interesting role for Arsenal on Tuesday night in their huge 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League.
The Scotsman came on for the final 13 minutes of the match, making a brief but noteworthy contribution to the Gunners’ dominant win.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal – Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain – January 25, 2025 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts as Kieran Tierney waits to be substituted on Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR ‘LIVE’ SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..
A Versatile Role for Tierney
While many fans are used to seeing Tierney as a left-back, especially during his time at Celtic, the 27-year-old was deployed in an unusual position on Tuesday—left-winger. This is a role that Tierney has not played much at the club level, but it adds to the growing list of positions the player has been trusted to fill. Whether it’s a tactical decision from Mikel Arteta or not, it’s clear that his ability to play in various roles is an asset for Arsenal and potentially for Brendan Rodgers next season.
A Glimpse Into His Future with Celtic
Tierney’s brief appearance as a winger raises interesting possibilities for his return to Celtic in the summer. Though he has spent much of his career as a left-back, his time with the Scotland national team has seen him excel as part of a back three, often playing as a centre-back. This could be something Rodgers looks to explore when Tierney rejoins Celtic, knowing that the defender has the flexibility to thrive in different roles or even further up the pitch.
As much as Celtic supporters are eager to the boyhood Hoops supporter return, they’ll be keen to see how Rodgers plans to use Tierney in the future. The player’s adaptability could prove crucial, especially in a squad that plays a fast-paced attacking game, something Tierney has demonstrated he can handle both for Arsenal and Scotland.
A Mixed Arsenal Season for Tierney
Despite the promising signs, it’s been a bit of a mixed season for Tierney at Arsenal. Having been used off the bench on several occasions this season, the Scottish international has not been a regular starter, with Arteta often favouring other options in the starting lineup. Still, his cameo performances have shown his quality, and with his upcoming move back to Celtic, it seems the final months of his time at Arsenal will be a period of reflection on what could have been a more prominent role next season at the Hoops.
Kieran Tierney Brendan Rodgers
Soccer Football – Europa League – Celtic Training – Lennoxtown Training Centre, Glasgow, Britain – November 7, 2018 Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Kieran Tierney during training Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
Looking Ahead to Celtic
As we look forward to Tierney’s return to Celtic, his stint at Arsenal has only enhanced his reputation as a versatile, dependable player. Fans will undoubtedly be excited to see him back in the green and white hoops, especially as Rodgers will have plenty of tactical options to consider with a player of Tierney’s capabilities.
With the summer seemingly round the corner, Tierney’s next chapter promises to be one filled with success, and Celtic supporters will certainly be eager to welcome him back home.