CELTIC MANAGER BRENDAN Rodgers is hoping a deal can be agreed with Arsenal to expedite Kieran Tierney’s return to Glasgow before the end of the transfer window.
The Scotland international is set to return to Celtic, who he left for the Gunners in 2019, on a free transfer with his contract at the Emirates expiring at the end of the season.
However, the Scottish champions are pushing to bring Tierney home before the window closes next week.
“I think we’re agreed that it will definitely take place in the summer. If we can do it beforehand, then great,” said Rodgers on Tuesday.
“I don’t want to speak too much on it with the greatest respect, because he’s not a Celtic player here now with us.
“But if we were able to do it, of course, we would like to do that, but that’s out of our control at this moment in time.”
Tierney has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal but four of his five appearances this season have come this month as Mikel Arteta battles an injury crisis.
Celtic are already assured of a place in the Champions League play-off round ahead of Wednesday’s visit to Aston Villa.
It is the first time in 12 years that the Hoops have reached the knockout phase of Europe’s elite competition, but Rodgers said his side’s work is not complete.
“It’s a great achievement to be in the top 24, I think, if you look at the economics at this level,” added the former Liverpool boss.
“The players have worked very, very hard and do what we set out to do, which was to firstly arrive in the play-offs, the players have done that. So it’s great.
“But our job’s not complete in this series of eight games. We come here to a great venue. It’s a fantastic team, but we want to come and play to the level that we know we can do.”
Celtic, however, will have to live without three key players from the side that beat Young Boys last week to secure qualification.
Kyogo Furuhashi has left to join Rennes, Daizen Maeda is suspended, while Cameron Carter-Vickers misses out through injury.
And Rodgers is keen to ensure he has a replacement for Kyogo, who scored 85 goals in 165 games for the club, before the end of the window.
“He’s been a real iconic player for the club, he’s done brilliantly during his time.
“It’s about getting a replacement, he did a great job, but he wanted to leave.
“We have known for a number of months. Clearly we wouldn’t have wanted to sell him but he made it clear he wanted to move and when that’s the case, we have to find the best solution for the club.”
Hopefully the trio make it! They are an integral part of our Six Nations squad. Keep it up lads!!!
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: lowe and Dan are part of the 6 nations squad but connors is nowhere near that squad. Hodnet, timoney, pendergast are all way ahead of him. Not to mention with conan going to 8 we have doris who can play 7 as can POM. Infact I’d rather see Scott penny get time for leinster than will.
@chris mcdonnell: I completely agree. I’d ate my own underpants if Connors is named tomorrow
@Niall Boyle: hopefully those pants are in better condition than the pair I wore on Sunday
@Niall Boyle: I’ll hold you to that
@chris mcdonnell: with the best will in the world POM cannot play 7 in the 6 Nations.
Hope they don’t rush Sheehan back this Saturday. 50 mins against the Stormers on the 25th of Jan and then into the 6 nations squad. Connors now needs to stay fit for the rest of the season if he wants to ever make an Ireland squad, at nearly 29 time is running out
Lowe is too slow. Osborne a better long term bet.
@conor carroll: Osbourne isn’t a wing, he can do the job but he’s a 12 or 15. Lowe being “slow” didn’t stop him being named in the world XV this year or being one of our best performing players.
@conor carroll: not on the wing he isnt,hes not a winger and it showed on sunday,great 12 and 15,lowe though offers far more on the left wing,breaks tackles,carries,big left boot and has vastly improved his defence,also always goes hunting for the ball and gets stuck in to mauls and excellent under the high ball,pace is not everything.
@conor carroll: Interesting statement. If you actually watched rugby you’d see that Lowe is probably quicker than Osborne in a foot race. Osborne has many, many strengths. Pace isn’t one of them.
@conor carroll: Nash is the pace merchant played all the 6 nations last year
Honestly, is Lowe still a starter for Leinster? I just really can’t see how you leave out Jamie Osborne even if he was rusty on the wing at the weekend, like his skill level for that try was ridiculous. He also has just a big left boot as Lowe.
@Eoin H: lowe is the left winger for both ireland and leinster.
@Eoin H: Osborne isn’t a winger and should only be playing there in a pinch. Lowe is also the better player generally right now
@Gary D: He definitely isn’t the better all round player generally, no way
@Eoin H: Well he has been a starter for the last 7.5 years. And he was a starter right up until his injury. Osborne is far far better utilised at 12 or 15. Let’s just play lads in their correct positions.
@Eoin H: I partially agree with you. Osbourne has an ability to hold on to passes that others would knock on and is too good to leave out of the team. Lowe is a try scoring machine as well though so not sure I’d leave him out either. I’d probably play Osbourne at 12 and leave Henshaw on the bench for impact