Kieran Tierney’s impending return to Celtic from Arsenal could be something of a coup for Brendan Rodgers.
The Celtic manager persuaded the Scotland defender to return to Paradise after Arsenal refused to take up the one-year option on Tierney’s contract at the end of this season.
Tierney played his last game for Arsenal in the 2-1 win over Southampton yesterday afternoon.
And as Tierney’s move to Celtic nears, the English media have delivered their verdict on the full-back’s time at Arsenal.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Tierney is a hugely popular figure within the Arsenal dressing room and with Gunners fans.
And as he leaves the Emirates for the final time, the English media have praised Tierney’s last appearance in an Arsenal shirt and praised the defender ahead of his Celtic return.
The Standard: “The Scot did well, though, and he was arguably man of the match. He took his goal well, flicking the ball home at the near post after Ben White’s cross had picked him out.
“He is set to be rejoining his boyhood club Celtic and this was the ideal way for him to sign off his time in North London.”
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The Guardian: “It was left to Tierney – unusually for him operating in central defence – to finally break the deadlock when he touched home Ben White’s cross from close range to cue a punch of the fist from the Scotland international and a chorus of appreciation from the away end.”
The Daily Mail: “The 27-year-old looked in shock after scoring on his final appearance for the Gunners, the defender set to join Celtic this summer.
“It was a fitting moment for a player who joined Arsenal in August 2019 and has been a loyal player for Arteta over the years.”
Goal: “Capped his final Arsenal appearance with a really smart goal. Great send off for a hugely popular player.”
It seems clear that whilst Tierney enjoyed immense popularity with his teammates, manager and Arsenal fans, the media had plenty of respect for the Celtic-bound man.
Celtic hero Kieran Tierney’s final season at Arsenal
Tierney has been used sparingly by Mikel Arteta this season for Arsenal but has still featured in all competitions for the Premier League club.
Kieran Tierney Played Goals Assists
English Premier League 13 1 0
UEFA Champions League 5 0 0
FA Cup 1 0 0
Carabao Cup 1 0 0
With Celtic competing on four fronts next season, having a player of Tierney’s quality will help Brendan Rodgers continue his progress in the Champions League and, hopefully, grab that elusive treble.