Celtic eyeing loan for international left-back as Tierney alternative

The head coach of Celtic confirmed earlier this week that Kieran Tierney will be returning to Celtic Park from Arsenal by the summer at the latest, which is good news for the team’s supporters. The 27-year-old Tierney progressed through Celtic’s system and played a crucial role in the squad during Rodgers’ first successful tenure before joining Arsenal for £25 million in 2019.

Rodgers has now confirmed that he will be returning to his boyhood club, which had been heavily suggested in recent weeks.

We’ve probably decided that it will undoubtedly happen in the summer. “It would be fantastic if we could do it in advance,” Rodgers told reporters 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,” he said. “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.”

“Alex won’t play again,” Rodgers added, confirming the termination of fellow left-back Alex Valle’s loan from Barcelona. Regretfully, he is currently with Barcelona and will most likely join another team after that.

The Hoops now need to find a new left-back before the transfer market closes on Monday night, since Valle has officially left Celtic Park. It’s obvious that Rodgers wants that man to be Tierney. But the club will have to go elsewhere if it can’t be.

Tyrell Malacia of Manchester United has also been mentioned by Celtic as a possible loan option in case they are unable to sign Tierney before the transfer deadline, per a recent story from The Daily Mail. According to The Mail, United is open to hearing offers for the 25-year-old Dutchman, who has nine national caps, as they near finalizing a deal with Patrick Dorgu of Lecce.

Real Betis, who recently signed United winger Antony on loan, however, are also thought to be interested in Malacia.

Malacia joined United in the summer of 2022, completing a £13 million switch from Dutch side Feyenoord. After a promising start to his career at Old Trafford, he then missed 18 months of action after undergoing knee surgery.

Since returning to fitness in November, the Dutch international has made just five starts in all competitions for Ruben Amorim’s side, and hasn’t played in the Premier League since the Red Devils were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth back in mid-December.

According to a report from the Metro earlier this month, Amorim has told Malacia he is free to leave the club this month.

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