NEIL Lennon is set to hold talks with Kieran Tierney to ensure he hasn’t become unsettled by Arsenal’s failed attempts to sign him - and predicted uncertainty over the Celtic left back’s future will continue until the end of August.

Lennon believes the Emirates Stadium club’s interest in Tierney is over after they failed to offer the £25m that their Parkhead counterparts are demanding despite making two separate bids.

However, the Northern Irishman, whose team take on Nomme Kalju of Estonia in the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie in Glasgow this evening, wouldn’t be surprised if other clubs attempt to land the Scotland defender before the transfer window closes.

And he will speak to the player, who is currently attempting to get himself fully fit after undergoing a double hernia operation at the end of last season, in the days ahead and urge him to focus on his recovery.

“As far as I’m aware it’s finished,” he said. “That’s the vibe I’m getting. I don’t know if Arsenal are going to meet the valuation at the minute. I would have thought they would have come back in by now.

“It’s basically as you were, which may be difficult for him to get his head around - or else he comes back to the fold and gets on with things.

“I’ll have to speak to him about it and I’m sure the club will as well. But it may rumble on as well, I don’t know. Arsenal might be the first of many who raise their head above the parapet.

“Until the window closes, we can’t relax and I’m sure Kieran can’t either. I know, having been in that position myself, how unsettling it is. There’s no question about that.

“Sometimes your mind races away with you. You try and tell him to just stay in the present and let things take their natural course, but it is difficult when you are young and ambitious.”

Asked what his advice to Tierney would be, Lennon said: “Just let it happen if it is going to happen. If it doesn’t, then try and re-engage yourself to doing what you are good at, which is being around Celtic.

“He is grounded, he has done a lot in his career already. But you still have to remember he is only 22. So he hasn’t really grown into his clothes yet, if you know what I mean. Until you get to 25, then there is still a boyishness about you at times.

“He is still doing his rehab, so it has been difficult for him from that aspect as well. He is frustrated by the injury and the pain he is still getting from the pelvic area. That (getting fit) is the first step he needs to take before anything else happens. He will be happier in his own mind once he does that. He is trying his best to do that at the minute.

“It is difficult anyway. He is not one of those fly-by-night players who comes in and is mercenary. Kieran has been in the system and you know what the club means to him. It would be a huge wrench to him and his family if he were to go and he has made that pretty clear.

“Again, we are talking hypothetically here. The deal, as far as I’m aware, is not happening. We are delighted about that, obviously, and it’s just a question of appeasing his mind now. I’m surprised it’s only been one club in for him, but there you go. I’m glad that’s the case."

Lennon praised the Celtic hierarchy – who rejected an offer of £20m plus add-ons from Arsenal - for refusing to accept what would have been a record fee for a Scottish player because it failed to match their valuation.

“I think it shows the financial position the club are in,” he said. “He is one of our best players and you don’t want to sell your best players lightly or short-change yourself. I think we are in a position where we don’t need to do that.

"It’s not a question of being bullied or pushed or standing firm. It’s a question of saying ‘he is our player, he has come through the ranks, he is a brilliant player, on a long term contract. You want him? You need to pay X amount money to satisfy what we want, because we need to look after our interests going forward as well’.

“Me, personally? I would have held out for more (than £25m). I’ve already touched on the Bissaka one (the Crystal Palace right back signed for Manchester United for £45m last month). I think Kieran is more rounded.

“It is a big fee for a Scottish club, not a big fee for an English club – but we are not in that market. I think we are right to value the player based on what we believe in. It’s simple business. Why should we take less for one of our best assets?”

Serie A giants Napoli have also been repeatedly linked with Tierney in recent weeks. But Lennon stressed their had been no official contact from the player. “It is all speculation at the minute,” he said. “I have no confirmation of interest from them whatsoever.”