Kieran Tierney has been the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer.
Arsenal are reported to be making a third bid for the Scotland international this week, potentially leaving the player with a massive decision to make about his future.
Caddis left Glasgow in entirely different circumstances back in 2010, joining then English League One side Swindon Town, but understands the emotional turmoil an academy player can have in making the decision to pursue a career elsewhere.
As quoted by The Daily Record, the 31-year-old said: “The way you get looked after is amazing, it was unbelievable for me, as someone who had paid to watch Celtic as a boy, I was living the dream every morning that I woke up. KT knows how that feels and it’s a huge wrench to walk away from it.
“He’s with the club he always wanted to play for. All of that emotion and being part of a squad is winning trophy after trophy.
“He’s played with established players and learned, he’s become so much better season on season. He’s a brilliant talent and people say £25million is too much for a boy playing in Scotland but I don’t agree. He’s certainly in that bracket.
“My situation was different from KT’s. I had to leave to kickstart my career but it was hard for me. I didn’t want to do it but I had to leave and step up as a professional footballer and play games.”
Ultimately if Celtic end up accepting an offer from Arsenal, modern football realities could take over for Tierney, who must weigh up his long-term prospects against his love for the Hoops.
The left-back seems to be a perfectly happy individual where he is, with reports this week even confirming he will not directly push for a move away from Celtic Park.
If the Scottish champions receive a fair offer though then the chance to play in the English Premier League, increase his earnings and potentially improve playing against tougher opposition consistently is a massive lure even for a boyhood supporter of the club.
There are no guarantees in football and Tierney’s recent injury worries may even be a factor in determining that careers are far too short not to make logical and progressive steps.
Thankfully for the Hoops, they appear to be in a win-win situation, able to command the perfect fee safe in the knowledge that Tierney won’t rock the boat and drive down the price or let the speculation impact performances.
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