Scott Brown has given his view on one surprise Celtic transfer story that recently emerged.
The Hoops kicked off their Scottish Premiership campaign with a 1-0 win over Dundee.
Martin O’Neill’s side unfurled the league flag before kick-off, but they had to wait until early in the second half for the breakthrough. Benjamin Nygren headed home from a pinpoint Tierney cross to seal all three points after Celtic had passed up several first-half chances.
Nygren, who has already opened his account in green and white, admitted after the match that it had been the shortest pre-season of his career following an extended break after the World Cup and his recovery from an Achilles problem.
Kieran Tierney provided the assist for Nygren. A pinpoint ball into the box; it wasn’t the only time the defender posed a real threat throughout.
Tierney was one of – if not the standout – performer on the pitch.
The left-back only returned to the club last summer after six years at Arsenal, with a loan stint at Real Sociedad inbetween.
Hoops legend Scott Brown played with Tierney and believes no bid would see him leave Glasgow. Speaking on BBC Sportsound, Brown said:
“To be fair, he’s come back; Kieran’s going nowhere. He loves the football club.
“You never know what can happen in football. But for me, that is Kieran Tierney there. I love watching the wee man play. His passion – and when there’s a 50/50, he wins it. When there’s a ball that goes in the box, he puts his head on it. But then it’s the quality that he’s got on the other side as well.
“You can see why he went down to Arsenal because people see that, and you can see why other teams want that.
“Celtic’s lucky enough to have Kieran, Callum (McGregor), and Jamesy (Forrest) for that long a period because maybe other players just get up and leave. But these ones love the club that much that they stay. They stay for the passion, they stay for the trophies, and they stay for the legacy as well.”
It’s safe to say it would be a shock if Tierney were to depart, or if the club were to entertain any further enquiries.
Brown knows just how important Tierney’s influence is both on and off the pitch, along with McGregor and Forrest.
More concrete transfer speculation surrounds Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels. Everton have Johnston in their sights, with his departure looking increasingly likely.
According to reports, West Ham United have already reached a verbal agreement with Engels. The Championship side are said to be preparing another official bid, with O’Neill stating that their initial valuation was way off the mark.
Two players who could be set for the exit door. Though with Tierney showing his quality once again last night, while being the only senior left-back at the club, he is one that we can be more relaxed about.
We dont need these transfers to survive, unlike other clubs. AJ can wait until next year as he hast still 3 years left on his contract, Engels was probably promised a move last winter.
If both are to go in this window then the halfwits on our board had better have replacements waiting.
Why not try for Mgane and Araujo however much they cost? We have the cash muscle to do it.