Neil Lennon wants to reinvest Tierney millions

Author: Clyde NewsPublished 8th Aug 2019

Neil Lennon hopes he will be given Kieran Tierney's record £25million transfer fee to reinvest in his Celtic squad.

The Hoops boss was busy overseeing his team's 1-1 Champions League draw with Cluj as reports broke that a deal had been struck with Arsenal to make Tierney Scotland's most expensive ever footballer.

The 22-year-old boyhood Celtic fan is now on his way to London to put the final touches on a five-year deal at the Gunners.

Arsenal's initial £15m bid for Tierney was rejected in June, as was a second £25m offer, as it contained too many add-ons and was dependent on the Gunners qualifying for the Champions League.

A medical is also to be completed but provided there are no last-minute hitches the left-back's switch should be completed ahead of Thursday's 5pm English transfer deadline.

Tierney's departure now leaves Lennon with a major hole to fill.

The 22-year-old, who has won five Scottish Premiership titles, made 40 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops during the 2018/19 campaign

Summer signing Boli Bolingoli deputised for Tierney - who has yet to return to action after a double hernia operation two months ago - in Romania but he had a night to forget.

Now Lennon hopes he will be able to use some of the cash generated by Tierney's sale to beef up his team.