Can Kieran Tierney play for Celtic in the Champions League? Cup-tied puzzler answered as Arsenal transfer exit looms

Kieran Tierney is close to agreeing an emotional return to Celtic on a pre-contract.

The left-back's deal at Arsenal expires this summer and KT has been free to speak to clubs since the start of the month. European big guns including Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen and Sevilla all expressed an interest in signing the Scotland hero, who also had options to remain in the Premier League.

But the Hoops diehard has his heart set on a move back to Celtic Park, six years after his record-breaking £25million sale to the Gunners. And while an announcement could be imminent, it remains to be seen whether the defender will be allowed to leave the Emirates this month.

Tierney has been brought out of cold storage by Mikel Arteta in recent weeks due to the North London club's mounting injury issues, with Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus all crocked. The defender has featured four times since December, with his latest cameo coming in Wednesday night's 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb.

Despite his days being numbered, the 27-year-old was serenaded by Gooners as he replaced Oleksandr Zinchenko in the 74th-minute, with a rendition of "Kieran Tierney, he's one of our own" ringing around the packed stadium.

Although it was a classy touch, Tierney's first Champions League appearance of the season raised questions regarding his eligibility for Celtic - should he return north this month. Hoops fans who feared the worst need not worry, though. That's because UEFA abolished the "cup-tied" rule from all European competitions back in 2018 - meaning players can play for two different clubs in the same season.

However, Tierney won't be able to feature for Celts in the Champions League until the completion of the league phase at