Kieran Tierney names his Celtic transfer non negotiable as Arsenal star drops major return timeline clue

Honest Kieran Tierney admits he would only join Celtic if he was still "100 per cent" fit - as the defender hinted at a potential timeline or his dream return.

Tierney is currently on Scotland duty with Steve Clarke 's men in Germany as they prepare to open Euro 2024 against the hosts - but faces an uncertain future this summer when the tournament is behind the left-back. Tierney is set to return to Arsenal having spent the season out on loan in La Liga with Real Sociedad - with the Gunners reportedly willing to listen to offers of as little as £10million for the 27-year-old.

That would see any potential suitor pay out less than half of the £25million that Arsenal paid the Hoops for his services five years ago - but Tierney is not said to be in the plans of boss Mikel Arteta when he returns to North London. Speaking to The Athletic, Tierney was quizzed on his departure from the Scottish Premiership and the prospect of a move back to Glasgow's east end.

He appeared to rule out a return to Celtic Park as a career swansong - insisting he would only return to his first club if he could replicate the heroics he achieved during a trophy-laden first spell in Glasgow. But the Invincible Treble winner appeared to leave the door open for a move back while in his prime.

He said: “I don’t regret it. I still miss it but I knew life would never be the same. I was living my dream. Being a footballer is the dream but playing for Celtic was the ultimate.

"I left that to go and challenge myself in the Premier League and come up against the best to see how I’d cope. If I go back, I want to be feeling how I did there before.

"I’ll be a different player to what I was, as I’ve been away for years, but I wouldn’t want to go back if I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent in my body. I know the intensity and the demand to win so, if I go back, it will be when I’m still feeling good.”