Kieran Tierney's return to former club Celtic is confirmed by manager Brendan Rodgers, who still hopes to bring the deal forward to January.

The Hoops have secured a pre-contract but hopes of an arrival six months prior to the deal kicking in are fading.

Kieran Tierney has agreed a move to Celtic and Brendan Rodgers hoped to bring the player in this month which now won't happen.

Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney will return to Celtic this summer. Tierney, who joined the Gunners from Celtic in 2019, will be out of contract in the summer and is clear to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club.

Kieran Tierney will stay at Arsenal for the final six months of his contract to be part of a Premier League title bid before returning to Celtic as a free agent in the summer.

The Telegraph reports that Arsenal will not allow Tierney to move in a loan or permanent transfer this month. "Ideally it would (happen in January) but he’s still at this moment an Arsenal player," said Rodgers when confirming a pre-contract deal for Tierney.

Manchester United's Tyrell Malacia is being considered by Celtic if they can't finalize a move for Kieran Tierney.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney will rejoin the Scottish club in the summer.

Another issue that will frustrate Rodgers and the board in Glasgow is the fact that Tierney was unnecessarily risked by Arteta and Arsenal last night before their meaningless Champions League tie with Girona.

Kieran Tierney could still be joining Celtic in January from Arsenal after agreeing a pre-contract deal for the summer.

A pre-contract has already been agreed - but the Scottish champions are keen to bring back their former star in this window