In The Know reporter pours cold water on Celtic’s Tierney hopes

The odds on Kieran Tierney returning to Celtic have dramatically lengthened with Real Sociedad stepping up their interest in the out of favour Arsenal defender.

At first it seemed ridiculously far fetched that Tierney would return to Celtic this summer with the finances for a loan or permanent move way out of Celtic’s range.

Derek McGregor of The Sun was first to suggest that there could be negotiations between Celtic and Arsenal but tonight he has highlighted that talks are underway between Arsenal and the La Liga side.

The Sun reporter has regularly been breaking news about Tierney, tonight he reports:

REAL SOCIEDAD are front-runners to sign Kieran Tierney with negotiations ongoing with Arsenal for a season-long loan deal.

SunSport understands Tierney is keen on the move to the La Liga side – who are also in the Champions League group stages – with the opportunity to get back playing regularly in one of the top five leagues in Europe.

Boyhood team and first club Celtic had been named bookies favourites to secure a sensational return for the 26-year-old they sold for a record £25million in 2019.

And talk rose to fever pitch after previous favourites Newcastle United, who had a long standing interest in the Scotland star, suddenly moved instead this week for Chelsea’s Lewis Hall on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent deal next summer.

However, while Tierney himself had left the door open for a stunning second spell in Paradise, and Celts boss Brendan Rodgers then refused to rule it out, it’s believed Real Sociedad are now in pole position for his signature.

It’s understood the Hoops at no point have made any formal approach to the Gunners.

Sociedad finished last season in fourth place which provides Tierney with Champions League football and the club with the finances to back up a deal.

Whether the player is keen on a move to the north of Spain with the upheaval involved but with EPL options being ruled out he isn’t spoiled for choice.

Although mainly viewed as a left-back Tierney has been playing as a central defender for Scotland- a position that Celtic suddenly must reinforce with injuries to Maik Nawrocki, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Stephen Welsh.