[ad_pod ]
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
Celtic have turned down the latest offer from Arsenal for Kieran Tierney, according to BBC Sport.
What’s the story?
Tierney has been the subject of two bids from Unai Emery’s side now with both offers rejected. The 22-year-old could be the subject of a third bid as Arsenal prepare to change the original package.
The left-back has been linked to the Gunners all summer but we are still no clearer as to knowing where his future lies. Tierney won’t push for a move but it looks as if the figure Arsenal are offering is slowly but surely getting closer to the desired fee.
And yet, Celtic have already begun their competitive season and the confusion surrounding Tierney can’t be helpful for Neil Lennon’s side. The Bhoys have played the away leg of the first qualifying round of the Champions League, beating FK Sarajevo 3-1.
With Tierney injured, regardless of the speculation, and only Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo coming in, there’s a chance for someone else to stake their claim at left-back.
Check out the below above to see football played as you’ve never seen it before… in a maze!
Hayes’ time to shine
After Tierney’s injury (and potential sale) along with the release of Emilio Izaguirre, new-boy Bolingoli-Mbombo is Lennon’s only available natural left-back. Youngster Calvin Miller and the versatile Jonny Hayes are the other two players in the current squad that could play that role.
And with Miller failing to pull up trees in loan spells with Dundee and Ayr United, Hayes is well-placed to provide competition in a position he was surprisingly good in last season.
Hayes deputised at left-back in the second half of the campaign, making four of his 12 starts on the left side of defence.
The 32 year-old may have found himself moved on this summer given how far down the pecking order he is on the wing, yet thanks to the confusion surrounding Tierney he could now really capitalise and solidify his squad role.
Hayes may well be hoping the Tierney saga rumbles on right through the summer window, which would give him as long as possible to cement his place in Lennon’s squad.