Kieran Tierney (Image: PA)
Kieran Tierney (Image: PA)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sent a message to departing left-back Kieran Tierney, as he gets set to rejoin Celtic next season.
The defender, who is out of contract next month at the North London club, netted in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Southampton at St Mary’s, finishing well from a Ben White cross into the opposition’s box.
Speaking to Arsenal.com, Arteta revealed that Tierney predicted his swansong to go exactly the way it did in the lead-up to Sunday’s match. “He said it yesterday, I’m going to score in my last Arsenal match, and he’s done it!” he said.
“So, credit to him, a special thank you to him. He’s been part of the journey, and he’s won with me. It’s true that he went to Sociedad for a few months, but it’s been a joy to work with him, a really special character. We wish him and his family all the very best.
“The doors of this club are open for him – he’s someone very, very liked at the club, in the dressing room, and we want to wish him the best.”
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Tierney left Celtic to join Arsenal back in 2019, then managed by current Aston Villa manager Unai Emery.
He went on to make 144 appearances for the club, scoring six goals in six campaigns, as well as spending a season out on loan at La Liga side Real Sociedad.
Back in January, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers broke the news that Tierney would be heading back to the club once his Arsenal contract had expired.
In his first spell with the club, he made 170 appearances for his boyhood side, winning eight major honours in the process.
The 27-year-old has 49 caps for his country, and will be looking to reach the half-century mark in next month’s international friendlies for Steve Clarke’s side versus Iceland and Liechtenstein.