CELTIC hero John Hartson has hit back at Simon Jordan over his comments that Kieran Tierney is not a suitable captain choice for Arsenal.

The former Crystal Palace owner told talkSPORT this morning that the Scotland left-back would not be the best option for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's replacement. 

The Arsenal attacker was stripped of his captaincy at the club earlier today. 

He was granted permission to travel to France last week, however, returned a day later than agreed - which was not his first offence when it comes to breaching club rules.

Jordan was asked if Tierney could potentially be a candidate to take on the armband. 

But the pundit laughed off the suggestion, in a witty comment about the defender being Scottish. 

Winding up Jim White, Jordan said: "Tierney? He's a Scot, so he's used to failure, I'm not sure if that's the leadership qualities we want."

Former Arsenal and Celtic player John Hartson was having none of it though.

He told Go Radio's Football Show this evening: "I think he's got leadership qualities. When he plays in the Arsenal team he plays with desire to win. He's got a winning mentality.

"As a captain you don't have to be a screamer or shouter, just go and do your job. From Tiernery's point of view, get crosses in, deliver for the forward players. 

"He's got those leadership qualities - he showed it at Celtic. 

"I said when he moved 'he'll be a future Arsenal captain' if they keep him there that long. He's the type for me who will get better and better. 

"Maybe not at this moment in time, because there are other candidates, but one day Tierney will be an Arsenal captain."

Fellow pundit Stephen Craigan pointed out that KT has won ten trophies in his career, with most coming up at Celtic. 

Hartson then came back in to speak about Frank McLintock and his successes while he was in London with the Gunners.

And this is when he went in for the kill, as he hit back at Jordan.

Hartson continued: "Simon Jordan, what on earth are you talking about? 

"The proof is there. How can he say that Kieran will never be an Arsenal captain because he's Scottish. What a pile of nonsense."

Craigan jumped in to say Jordan was winding up his partner in crime on the Breakfast Show, Jim White. 

The famous Scots broadcaster would later join the panel on the phone to Paul Cooney, as he divulged some more on the conversation.