Celtic are reportedly sat in pole position in the race for Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney.

The 27-year-old has endured an injury-hampered opening half of the 2024-25 term after picking up a serious hamstring issue whilst playing for Scotland at Euro 2024.

Following a few matches as an unused substitute for Arsenal in November and December, Tierney made his maiden appearance of the club season against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

The left-back played out 69 minutes of action before being replaced, with the Gunners booking a spot in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup courtesy of a Gabriel Jesus hat-trick.

Tierney will be looking to earn his first Premier League minutes of the term on Saturday evening, when Oliver Glasner's Eagles are the opponents once again at Selhurst Park.

Celtic in pole position to sign Arsenal man Tierney?

According to The Sun, Arsenal full-back Tierney is heading towards an exit from the North London club at the conclusion of the current term.

The report claims that former club Celtic are in pole position to sign the 27-year-old, who has previously spoken of his desire to return to Parkhead at some point.

It has been recently reported that Arsenal will not opt to extend Tierney's contract past the end of the 2024-25 season, meaning that he will leave the Emirates.

It is understood that the Scotland international could sign for the Bhoys in the January transfer window on loan for the remainder of the term.

A permanent switch to Celtic Park is also on the cards, with Celtic head coach Brendan Rodgers a massive fan of the experienced left-back.

Tierney to run it back?

With Tierney's five-year association with Arsenal drawing to a close, the defender could be returning to where it all started in a professional sense.

After playing for the club's academy, the 27-year-old made his debut for the Celtic senior squad in 2014 and went on to enjoy a trophy-laden spell in the first team.

Across 170 competitive appearances for the Bhoys, Tierney helped his boyhood club to five Scottish Premiership titles and three Scottish Cup honours.