Brown: Tierney tale is no cause for criticism

Celtic captain Scott Brown reckons Kieran Tierney’s Arsenal switch is the kind of fairytale move that would have other European clubs throwing street parties.

Tierney’s departure drew a mixed response from the Celtic faithful, with some struggling to comprehend why the 22-year-old would leave his boyhood heroes.

The left-back wrote an emotional message on social media saying he was heartbroken that his relationship with some Celtic fans would never repair.

But Brown believes everyone should wish the Scotland international well in the Premier League.

“All the lads are delighted for him,” the 34-year-old said.

“He got a fantastic move and he’s got a fantastic club as well.

“He loves this club so much that it was a hard thing for him to do, but he’s going down to England, he’s going to play against the best players week-in, week- out and he’s going to be in Europe as well. Here’s hoping we get to the Champions League, though.

“But we all wish him the best, he has been a fantastic servant to the club.

“When you look at it, he came through the youth, he has supported Celtic all the way through, he has not cost the club a penny and we have sold him for £25 million.

“For me personally, it should be a fairytale story. When you look at Ajax and other teams like that, when they sell players that have come through the youth and given so much to the club, they have a big, massive party on the street and all the fans come out and cheer. It’s sad that we couldn’t all wish him a farewell at Celtic Park but I’m sure he will be back up.”

Tierney was back at Celtic’s Lennoxtown training centre on Sunday to say goodbye to his team-mates after travelling to London while they were in Romania for their 1-1 first-leg draw against Cluj.

Manager Neil Lennon said: “He popped in and everyone was delighted to see him. He got a nice farewell from the players.

“It was emotional for him obviously, but the players get on with it now. That’s what you do, you move on.

Lennon has still to iron out with chief executive Peter Lawwell and recruitment staff exactly how they will go about the final weeks of the transfer window with the £25 million.

Scott Brown says some other clubs would have street parties after selling a youth product for a fortune.