TIERNEY TALKS

++Celtic make move to secure pre-contract deal ++Arsenal star willing to take big pay cut to secure sensational Parkhead return

CELTIC are working on a deal to secure the return of Scotland defender Kieran Tierney on a pre-contract agreement.

Arsenal have informed the full-back that they don’t intend to exercise the option of another year on his contract when it expires in June.

Despite more lucrative opportunities in bigger leagues, the 27-year-old is willing to take a substantial pay cut to be reunited with his boyhood club.

And discussions over a move before the end of the month could take place once the nuts and bolts of a pre-contract agreement for this summer are in place.

Sold to Arsenal for £25million in 2019, Tierney (pictured) made the 125th appearance of an injury-hit spell in the recent Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace.

Despite slipping down the pecking order at the Emirates, defensive injuries are likely to see him feature in another match-day squad when the Gunners face Brighton this evening. Asked whether any players will be allowed to leave in January, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta responded: ‘All the players that are here, they want to focus on performing and impacting the team and, if something happens there, then we will assess it.’ While Arsenal would be open to

saving on the last six months of Tierney’s substantial salary, the player himself would need to take a £3m hit to rip up his current contract and return to Glasgow on a permanent basis this month. While Thursday’s bitterly disappointing 3-0 derby defeat to Rangers will intensify calls to get the Scotland defender in before the end of the window, Greg Taylor and Alex Valle currently occupy the left-back slots. The situation could change if Taylor — out of contract this summer and no closer to signing an extension — moves on this month.