Celtic's Tierney signing under scrutiny as injuries derail marquee return

Celtic’s return of Kieran Tierney from Arsenal was hailed as a marquee signing and a statement of intent for Brendan Rodgers. Two months into the new season, however, the left-back has struggled to translate his pedigree into consistent minutes, with Tierney having completed 90 minutes in only one of his nine appearances. That lone full shift came in the 4-0 Premier Sports Cup win over Partick Thistle, a match that was emblematic of the slower-than-expected acclimation for a player the club hoped would help push progress from last season. In the meantime, questions have intensified about whether Celtic overpaid or over-promised in the summer window, given the weight of expectations that accompanied his return.

Rodgers has been frank about the physical barrier Tierney has faced. After the 0-0 draw with Rangers in August, the manager suggested the defender’s fitness would need to improve, underscoring that a return to peak condition would be essential for him to become a reliable starter. The January-to-summer build-up had painted Tierney as the first of several high-profile signings meant to galvanize the squad, but those other big-money arrivals failed to materialise, leaving the club to gauge whether the Tierney investment could deliver as hoped. The latest setback appeared in Belgrade, where Tierney went down and winced during the 1-1 draw with Red Star Belgrade before continuing. The moment underscored a growing sense of apprehension about his ability to sustain a heavy workload.

Tierney’s run of misfortune is not new. A career defined by resilience has been tempered by a hamstring injury suffered at Euro 2024 with Scotland, a setback that has reverberated through his club career since he returned to Glasgow. Celtic made Tierney their highest-paid player, with wages nearing £50,000 a week on a five-year deal, even after accepting a substantial wage reduction from his Arsenal salary. In context, that arrangement places substantial reliance on him to deliver both on the pitch and in terms of leadership—attributes fans once associated with a player who, in his pomp, was regarded among Europe’s best left-backs. Yet the financial calculus now looks more fragile: a 28-year-old defender with an injury history and limited resale value straining the club’s wage bill without yet offering a clear upgrade on Greg Taylor, who departed for PAOK in Greece.

The dynamic has sharpened the debate around Celtic’s recruitment strategy. The transfer window had generated genuine optimism among supporters, with Tierney’s return framed as a meaningful signal of intent. Yet the absence of other major signings that could have complemented or protected Tierney’s level of play has drawn attention. Even as Rodgers has spoken about successfully managing Tierney’s workload, the broader issue remains: can Celtic justify the investment if the player cannot be deployed with regularity or efficiency? The management has emphasized patience, noting the psychological toll of injuries that can linger well beyond the initial physical recovery. Rodgers has repeatedly acknowledged the mental hurdle Tierney faces, pointing to the need for gradual progression and the importance of him feeling able to