Odds have been slashed on a potential return to Celtic for Scotland international Kieran Tierney.
The 26-year-old was a bit-part player for Arsenal last term under Mikel Arteta as the Gunners missed out on the Premier League title.
It is understood Arteta wants Tierney to stay at the Emirates to fight it out with Oleksandr Zinchenko for the left-back spot.
Newcastle have been heavily linked with a move for the defender, but now odds have been slashed on a sensational return to Celtic with Betfair.
Odds on Tierney rejoining the Hoops this summer have been slashed to 5/2 from 20/1.
Newcastle are the 6/4 favourites to sign the Arsenal left-back with Aston Villa 9/1 contenders.
Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: “Odds on Kieran Tierney returning to Celtic this summer have been slashed to 5/2 from 20/1, making the Scottish champions the second-favourites to win the race for his signature.
"Long-term admirers Newcastle are the 6/4 frontrunners to sign Tierney, who is 9/1 to join Unai Emery’s Aston Villa this summer.”
Tierney came through the youth ranks at Celtic and was a fan favourite during his time at the club.
The boyhood Celtic fan worked under Brendan Rodgers during his first stint as manager at the club and since he has returned to the club, odds have since dipped.
Rodgers is adamant Celtic are getting a better manager this time round than the one that won all seven domestic trophies available to him during his previous spell in Scotland.
The Northern Irishman returned to Parkhead on Monday, almost four and a half years after he left to take charge of Leicester.
In his time at the Foxes, he oversaw FA Cup glory in 2021 and back-to-back fifth-place finishes in the Premier League before things unravelled in his closing season, culminating in his sacking in April as they spiralled towards relegation.
Rodgers explained that his football philosophy remains largely unchanged since he was previously at Celtic but he feels he is returning as a more astute operator overall.
“In terms of how we play my teams always play with an attacking philosophy,” he said. “We always set out to win. That’s never changed. When my teams are at their best that’s what they do.
“I am a better manager than when I sat here seven years ago (at the start of his first spell) and certainly than four years ago.
“Experiences good and bad always help you, and that was the beauty of coming back here. It’s an amazing club and hopefully we can continue moving forward.”
