The new Gunners star acknowledged some fans may never forgive his departure but his old team-mate thinks it is a transfer to be celebrated <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Kieran Tierney\u2019s move to Arsenal is a \u201cfairy-tale\u201d according to ex-Celtic team-mate Scott Brown, who believes the left-back\u2019s transfer would have been widely celebreated at other clubs.<\/p>\n
Tierney completed his long-awaited move to Gunners on the Premier League transfer deadline day, securing a \u00a325 million ($30m) switch from the Scottish Premiership champions.<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old ended his long affiliation with Celtic, having joined their youth system in 2005 and featuring exclusively for the club until his move to London.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Tierney wrote a goodbye on social media which included a message to fans he felt will never forgive his departure, saying: “I hope we can continue to have a relationship although I understand that will be never for some people, which is heartbreaking for me but I understand the emotions surrounding this situation.”<\/p>\n
While there may be some discontent among the Celtic faithful over Tierney\u2019s exit, especially as Champions League qualifiers loom, Brown says the team as whole are thrilled for the defender.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the lads are delighted for him,\u201d Brown told reporters. \u201cHe got a fantastic move and he\u2019s got a fantastic club as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe loves this club so much that it was a hard thing for him to do, but he\u2019s going down to England, he\u2019s going to play against the best players week in, week out and he\u2019s going to be in Europe as well. Here\u2019s hoping we get to the Champions League though.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we all wish him the best, he has been a fantastic servant to the club.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen 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 \u00a325 million.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Brown believes it is hard to ask for a better outcome, and though Tierney wasn\u2019t afforded a massive send-off, the 34-year-old believes an opportunity for him to return will be on the cards eventually.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me personally, it should be a fairy-tale 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s sad that we couldn\u2019t all wish him a farewell at Celtic Park but I\u2019m sure he will be back up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Celtic manager Neil Lennon confirmed Tierney has stopped by to see his old team-mates and coaches, and acknowledged the cycle of players leaving and new ones stepping up in their stead is part of the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe popped in and everyone was delighted to see him,\u201d Lennon said. \u201cHe got a nice farewell from the players.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was emotional for him obviously, but the players get on with it now. That\u2019s what you do, you move on.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s going to be a big miss obviously but there\u2019s an opportunity there for someone else to take on the mantle now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Celtic have started their Premiership title defence off with a pair of wins but will look to move into the next round of Champions League qualifying on Tuesday when they face Romanian side CFR Cluj at home, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Tierney will hope for his Arsenal debut when the Gunners face Burnley on Saturday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n