Kieran Tierney's January switch from Arsenal to Celtic blocked

Kieran Tierney will join Celtic this summer but will not be allowed to leave Arsenal in the January window, STV understands.

The Scotland defender reaches the end of his deal with the Gunners at the end of the season and agreement has been reached for him to return to his former club when that contract expires.

Celtic had been hopeful they could negotiate an early move that would see Tierney back in Glasgow before Monday’s transfer deadline but that Arsenal aren’t prepared to part with the player as they chase success on several fronts.

Tierney came through Celtic’s youth system and went on to win four Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups, as well as being named as Scotland’s Young Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons.

He was sold to Arsenal for £25m in 2019 and went on to play 125 times and win the FA Cup.

However, the Scot’s time in London has been blighted with injuries, with the defender sidelined with a shoulder injury, knee surgery and hamstring issues that limited his opportunities over his four-and-a-half years with the Gunners.

That, and stiff competition for a place in the starting line-up, has led to the London club deciding not to offer a new deal but manager Mikel Arteta has included Tierney in recent matchday squads and has brought him off the bench in Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League games in the last month.

The defender will now remain with his club as they aim to deliver success in domestic football and in Europe.

Speaking on Wednesday, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers had expressed his desire to see the player move north sooner, rather than later.

“He’s still, at this moment, an Arsenal player,” the Celtic boss said ahead of his side’s final Champions League league phase game at Aston Villa.

“I think we’re agreed that it will definitely take place in the summer. If we can do it beforehand, then great.

“I think that, like I said, we prepared that for the summer. 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.”

Celtic are now expected to look for cover at left back before the deadline, with Alex Valle’s return to parent club Barcelona leaving the squad short on options at left-back with vital matches to come.