Kieran Tierney to Celtic transfer return hype has Callum McGregor buzzing as skipper admits ‘I’ve been in WAR with him’

Callum McGregor reckons warrior Kieran Tierney would be a quality signing for Celtic as he backed Brendan Rodgers’ push for January reinforcements.

The Hoops boss is considering a January loan move to take the Arsenal star back to Parkhead with a view to a permanent deal in the summer. And McGregor, who spent years as team mates with Tierney for both Celtic and the Scotland national team, knows he’s exactly the type of character required when the going gets tough.

The 27-year-old left Celtic for the Gunners in a then-record £25m deal back in 2019. But Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has opted against handing the left back a new deal, opening the door for a Hoops move with Greg Taylor’s contract also up at the end of the season. McGregor said: “I’ve not spoken to Kieran yet but I have seen all the stuff that’s been written. I don't know too much about it - but we're generally the last ones to know.

"When someone appears in the building, then we'll go and meet them. He's a quality player. I've been in war with him for a number of years now. He's a good guy and we'll see what happens.”

Rodgers travelled to Dublin for a transfer summit with Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond last week as he looks to get ahead of the game. The champions may be nine points clear at the top of the table and looking good for a Champions League last 16 play-off spot but there’s no chance Rodgers will rest on his laurels.

McGregor said: “In every window we do look to strengthen. The boys here have been fantastic, they have done ever so well. Naturally, being at a big club, there's always competition for places. The club will always try and do the best deals that they can.

“It just remains to be seen what happens but the guys who do come in,