Kevin Gallacher reckons Myles-Lewis Skelly's emergence at left back in Mikel Arteta's squad meant Tierney was always going to leave
17:04, 30 Mar 2025
Kieran Tierney - in action for Arsenal - is back at Celtic this summer
Kieran Tierney - in action for Arsenal - is back at Celtic this summer
Myles Lewis-Skelly's rapid Arsenal rise meant the contract writing was on the wall for Kieran Tierney.
That's according to Kevin Gallacher, who has been extremely impressed with how the teenager has taken to top team football at the Emirates, and Wembley after making a scoring debut for England this month.
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Tierney of course, is set to return to his boyhood club having agreed a pre-contract switchback to Celtic, six years after leaving for London in what was then a Scottish record transfer fee of £19million.
He's been utilised by Arteta in recent weeks, but only really out of necessity.
Lewis-Skelly is the future for the Gunners and his elevation to first team duties meant Arsenal were never likely to exercise their option to extend Tierney's deal by a further 12 months.
“He is a kid who has known nothing but success so far and it shows in his play. He is fearless out there," Gallcher wrote in his Sunday Post column.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
“We know a bit about him in Scotland, too, as his emergence has been a key factor in Arsenal’s decision not to renew Kieran Tierney’s deal but instead to let him move on in the summer.
“Celtic have managed to persuade him to return to his first love and Scotland boss Clarke will be hoping he gets plenty of first-team football up here as he is an important player for the country.”
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