THE Kieran Tierney transfer saga could rumble all the way to the wire with the English transfer deadline set for 5pm tomorrow.
Arsenal have made two failed bids – the latter in the £25million range – for Celtic’s Scotland international left-back after their interest first became public back on June 22, as CQN reported.
Since then, it’s been headlines all the way as the will-he-or-won’t-he situation has unfolded amid reports and speculation that have bounced between the Emirates and Parkhead on a daily basis.
Neil Lennon took time off preparing his players for the first leg of this evening’s crucial Champions League third round qualifier against Cluj in Romania to give an update on the Tierney situation – and to fire back at some ill-informed innuendo.
A BHOY ALONE…Kieran Tierney on the training ground at Lennoxtown.
The 22-year-old defender remained in Glasgow while his team-mates flew to their latest Euro testing ground and, as usual, the Hoops gaffer was asked if there was any change in the situation involving the fans’ favourite who has yet to kick a ball this season following a double hernia operation at the end of the previous campaign.
Lennon, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “No. We were talking about it on the plane over here as it’s all gone a bit quiet, which is surprising for me.
“I know these deals can get done at a minute to twelve. I’d be surprised if there wasn’t another offer for Kieran, but delighted.
“He’ll be fit in a week or two. He still has some abductor pain, but I think the pubic problem is starting to settle and he’s over the double hernia.
“I know there is talk of him being out for another eight weeks, but that’s nonsense. I don’t know where that’s come from.
“He’s missed the whole of pre-season, but I’d say he’s more or less a week away from getting back integrated to the training.
“Add another week or 10 days on top of that before he’s ready to play.”
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Cluj v Celtic tonight – only in your champion CQN.
