Kieran Tierney, born on 5 June 1997 (age 29), is a Scotland international from the Isle of Man and a left-back who came through Celtic with unusual speed and certainty. He wore squad number 63, a detail that became part of the furniture rather than a marketing exercise.
His first spell at Celtic gave him the platform and the medals. Tierney won six Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups with the club, becoming an important first-team player without needing much ceremony around it. He was direct, aggressive, reliable, and rarely looked as if the step up bothered him.
In August 2019, he left Celtic for Arsenal for around £25m. It was a serious fee and a serious move, and one that reflected how quickly he had moved from academy graduate to established player. His time in England broadened his career, but the Celtic connection never needed much explanation.
Tierney returned to Celtic from Arsenal in July 2025. His most productive league season came straight after that return, with six goals in 35 league appearances in 2025-26 – a useful reminder that his game was never just about defending the back post and getting up the line.
In 2026-27, he has made 12 appearances for Celtic across all competitions, including five in the league, three in the Scottish Cup, two in Champions League qualifiers, one in the League Cup and one in the Europa League. He has also been involved with Scotland this season, making two World Cup appearances and three World Cup qualifying appearances, scoring once.
His current market value is around £7m, according to Transfermarkt. Tierney’s career has taken him from Celtic’s academy to Arsenal and back again, with enough trophies, caps and miles on the clock to make the return feel like a continuation rather than a nostalgia act.
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