The key Kieran Tierney Celtic transfer concern as John Hartson doubts if they can make homecoming worthwhile

John Hartson reckons a return home for Kieran Tierney would get the fans buzzing - but he has raised one key concern.

The Celtic diehard is heading for the Arsenal exit door after the Gunners opted against taking up an option in his contract. That means the Scotland international will be able to walk away from the North London side for FREE in the summer and he can discuss a pre-contract with interest parties outwith England from Wednesday when the calendar hits January 1.

Brendan Rodgers has held a transfer summit with Hoops supremo Dermot Desmond ahead of the winter window opening for business. Tierney's name is doing the rounds over a potential return which could be a loan ahead of a permanent move. Other positions in and out are on the agenda but for Celtic hero Hartson, he reckons it is a deal that would require a lot of work to get done and the player taking a huge drop in his current wage packet.

Over recent seasons he has been hit with a number of injuries. His Euro 2024 dream ended as he limped out of the tournament in a major blow to Steve Clarke as he hit the sidelines for an extended period once again. He recently got a run out at Arsenal in the Carabao Cup in a rare outing with the defender named on the bench regularly of late by Mikel Arteta but not used.

Fitness concerns are the main issue for Hartson, who believes that the days of Celtic getting 40-50 games a year out of Tierney are gone - like so many of the current Hoops stars like Callum McGregor are producing season on season.

Speaking on Go Radio, Hartson said: "I have not heard an awful lot. I think there is a lot of work to do to get that one over the line.

"Kieran Tierney - not played the games that he has - can Celtic get him back and all of a