Kieran Tierney makes Real Madrid believer look a genius as Arsenal fans swell (2025)

The former Celtic full back replaced Declan Rice on a memorable Champions League night for the Gunners

Kieran Tierney has had to fight for every second of time in an Arsenal shirt this season - but things could have been very different if Carlo Ancelotti had his way.

The soon-to-be Celtic returning hero came on for two-goal maestro Declan Rice in the 3-0 Champions League first leg quarter-final trouncing of Real Madrid.

The result puts the Gunners in the driving seat ahead of the second leg next week's decisive second leg in Spain.

Los Blancos boss looked dejected on the side lines as Eduardo Camavinga's red card added insult to injury.

It further depletes his already worn defence and he must have wondered 'what if' when Mike Arteta sent on Tierney to shore up the result.

Ancelotti previously hailed the Hoops academy man as a "really good player" when Napoli boss and was linked with plucking him from Celtic before his move to North London.

He said: "He is a really good young left back but he is a Celtic player.

"We are looking for a lot of players for this coming season but he is a Celtic player and we have two good left backs.

"But honestly I can say he is a really good player."

The full-back was also linked with a £50m move to the Santiago Bernabeu when the Italian boss returned to Los Blancos in 2021.

The Spanish giants were aiming to find a long-term successor to Brazil icon Marcelo who returned to Brazil.

And they could have used the services of a genuine left back on Tuesday night's showing.

Ferland Mendy missed out after suffering from a series of hamstring injuries this season while Fran Garcia is not trusted to play in big matches.

David Alaba filled in at left back, which Ancelotti was blasted for by Madrid fans as the Austrian, now 32, has lost a yard or two of pace and is preferred at centre-back as a result.

The four-time Champions League winning coach may not know what he's missing but the Arsenal fans certainly do who were torn about the 27-year-old's looming departure.

On X, one person said: "Kieran Tierney is what we call a professional. He came in and balled in his first season. Got derailed by injuries. Loaned out to La Liga. Came back injured. Recovered and trained every single day without complaining. Got back into the squad and is getting minutes."

Another added: "I am so glad knowing Kieran Tierney gets to be a part of this."

One user commented: "Win is great and all but I got to watch Kieran Tierney play left wing against Real Madrid."

An Arsenal fan posted: "If only Kieran Tierney could lift the UCL before he leaves this club."

Another added: Is it still possible to cancel that Kieran Tierney’s free transfer deal….?"

The Scotland international is likely to play a role in the return leg next Wednesday as the Premier League side look to defend their lead against the reining European champions.