£25m STALEMATE: CELTS WON’T BUDGE, LENNY

NEIL LENNON has warned Arsenal that Celtic have no intention of budging in the £25million transfer stalemate concerning Kieran Tierney.

The saga has been rumbling on since the Londoners lodged an initial and paltry bid of £15million for Celtic’s Scotland international left-back on June 22.

That was immediately booted into touch before the Gunners came back with a £25million submission which met with the same fate as the offer contained too many unrealistic add-ons before it reached the acceptable figure.

The English deadline is looming next week and the ball is now in the English outfit’s court with the clock ticking down.

Hoops boss Lennon, speaking to Sky Sports News, said: “Obviously, the window in England shuts on Thursday.

“It can be an unsettling period for any player. We have rejected two bids and the clubs know the valuation that we value Kieran at and it’s not been met.

A BHOY ALONE…Kieran Tierney at Lennoxtown.

“He is dealing with it very well. We are living in an age now where it’s coming at you from all angles, especially on social media. He is only 22. We have to be mindful of that, as well. He is trying to keep his feet on the ground and stay focused on the present.”

The deadline for the English transfer window is 5pm on Thursday, August 8 and Lennon believes it is a benefit to Scottish clubs that they can still buy players until Monday, September 2.

He added: “I think it helps. It gives us that little bit longer to assess things and players could then become available who aren’t at the minute.

“Maybe they are looking for regular first-team football or looking for something fresh. I think it’s an advantage for us.”

Tierney, who is still suffering from a pelvic problem following a double hernia operation in the summer, will watch tomorrow’s Premiership opener from the Parkhead stand as the champions kick off their nine in a row bid against St Johnstone.