Report: Kieran Tierney rejected European giants for Celtic return | OneFootball

Celtic beat top opposition to secure a return for Kieran Tierney. The Scotland Internationalist will join Celtic at the end of the season upon expiry of his Arsenal contract; however, a report from Stephen McGowan has revealed that a number of clubs were interested in the powerful fullback.

In McGowan’s article in the Herald, the renowned sports journalist revealed that Celtic had beaten Bayer Leverkusen, Sevilla, Juventus and Everton to the signature of the 27-year-old.

The report confirms that the Celtic return was orchestrated by Brendan, meeting the player at a Gala Dinner in London. Thereafter, the club held contract talks with the player after it was revealed there would be no extension at the Emirates.

Kieran Tierney of Arsenal looks on during a training session and press conference ahead of their UEFA Champions League 2024/25 quarter final first leg match at Sobha Realty Training Centre on April 07, 2025 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

It is no surprise that a number of top clubs were interested in Tierney, who is still in his prime years. Everton under David Moyes is an exciting opportunity as are the currently German Champions Bayer Leverkusen, who are behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga this season, while Juventus and Seville still represent big clubs in their own right.

The move, which has been confirmed quietly by Celtic, will be an emotional return to the player’s boyhood club that will see him assume a leadership role in the first team. Despite returning to Scotland in the summer, Tierney has diligently continued to work away under Arteta and could find himself in a European Semi Final if they can avoid a shock result in Madrid. It is a coup signing but it should represent the ambition of the club to retain Brendan and continue striving towards European success. It would be equally impressive if Celtic could seal a contract extension for Greg Taylor to effectively work with KT on the left side.