The highly-rated left-back is drawing admiring glances from England, and may leave eventually, but his manager is not expecting to do a summer deal
Brendan Rodgers concedes that Kieran Tierney may leave Celtic at some stage in the future, but expects the
Manchester United target to remain at Parkhead for “a few years yet”.
Having emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in Scottish football, the 20-year-old defender is starting to attract interest from afar.
Rodgers is aware of the speculation, and admits a deal may be done further down the line, but the Hoops boss is expecting Tierney to still be with the Scottish Premiership champions in 2018-19.
He told reporters when quizzed on the exit rumours: “I don’t put any speculation or figure around him.
“Everyone sees the market now and there is a market out there for top talents and particularly young talents. But he’s a player who’s not for sale. He’s still got development to go and he is in a great place to learn.
“If you play for a big club in whatever country, there will always be people watching you. Obviously there is a dearth of good left-backs around and with Kieran’s qualities and huge potential still as a young player, that is always going to draw the eyes of top teams.
“Kieran has great qualities. He has a really good temperament and that is getting better in big games. Tactically, he understands the game much better. Physically, he can cope with any league in the world. He has got stronger and faster. He is playing at a big club."
Rodgers added: “You see his passion and love for Celtic. I’m sure there will be times over the next few years when that will be tested, because obviously there will be a financial implication there that you have to think about, and he can’t not have that opportunity if it comes. But I don’t think it’s something that’s on his radar.
“He knows that to leave Celtic, ever, it has to be a win-win situation for him and the club so that people go ‘okay, we can see that one’. It tends to be more that sort of moral issue that comes into it, in terms of being on ‘X’ amount at Celtic, another club can give him more and they give you a big fee as a club.
“It’s very, very difficult for a young player to turn that down. If the player doesn’t want to go, it’s okay – you’ll not be pushing him out the door. He’s a Celtic supporter and that means everything to him, but football’s a business now for players and I think he’s recognising that if you’re playing over 15 years of your life and you’re at this club for whatever – another four or five years – he might feel that this is the happiest he’ll ever be.
“This is where football becomes a business. I hear now of so many players of years gone by, bless them, who’ve never earned the money and then people talk of loyalty and say, ‘Oh, they played this many games and blah, blah, blah’ and ‘what a player he was.’ Then they say, ‘Oh he’s struggling at the minute.’ So, you have to look after yourself and that’s the modern world. But he’s a great kid and I’m sure he’ll be here for a few years yet.”
Tierney, 20, put pen to paper on a lucrative six-year contract earlier in the season to make him one of the club's highest earners.
And the boyhood Celtic fan insists he is more than happy to stay with Brendan Rodgers' side but remains flattered by the interest shown in him.
He said: "I've never thought about elsewhere yet, in my life. It's just been Celtic since the age of seven.
"I've never even been on trial with another team. I was at my local boys' club then moved to Celtic at seven.
"Can I see myself being here all my career? Yes, I can. But, you never know in football.
"I've never thought about being away from Celtic. Maybe one day it will happen."
Last month, Tierney was tipped to thrive at a club like Manchester United by former striker Chris Sutton.
‘One thing that stands out straight away with Kieran Tierney is his personality,’ Sutton said. ‘He’s only 20, but has already captained Scotland. ‘He’s level-headed, hard-working and very likeable. And he’s a grafter, someone who works hard for the team. ‘It doesn’t surprise me Manchester United are after him. He’s a Jose Mourinho-type player.
‘He really caught the eye in Europe last season and, amazingly, only Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Rui Patricio has played more minutes in any top division across the world this season. ‘He’s
extremely solid in defence, makes good decisions and can play anywhere across the backline.
Tierney, who has been watched by Tottenham and Manchester United, is pleased to see his hard work being recognised by English clubs but has refused to become distracted by reports.
When asked how he responded to the speculation, he said: "I don't react in any other way than giving my all for Celtic every day in training and in every game I play.
"I'm flattered by the interest from teams - you have to be - it means you're doing something well, it means you're doing something right. I'm just enjoying my time here now."
Sky Sports suggest Everton need to up the ante if they are keen on the player.
Everton need to improve their defensive options. The left-back position, in particular, is a major concern at Goodison Park. When Leighton Baines suffered an injury earlier this season the alarming lack of cover in the position left Cuco Martina filling in admirably.
The fact is, Baines is reaching the latter years of his career and a long-term replacement needs to be sought. Of all the options available to Everton, Tierney could, in fact, be the best.
The Bhoys defender is a similar player to Baines, in that he is a major threat going forward. He will struggle to match the assist record that Baines has had at Everton over the years, but he would certainly be an attacking option.
The main difference between the pair, however, could be that Tierney is better defensively. He has played at centre-back in the past and that may be a reason to consider Tierney something of a Baines upgrade going forward.
Some will dismiss the Scotsman as perhaps not being ready for regular Premier League football. But Everton must look at the success
Liverpool have had with Tierney’s countryman Andrew Robertson and realise the Celtic player is worth a chance.
Last summer,
a report from the Daily Mail suggested Celtic valued Tierney at £17 million. But after an improvement this season and the signing of a new deal in October, that fee could end up being more.
But Everton have shown they are not afraid to invest in young talent recently and Tierney could be the answer to their left-back problem for many years to come. If Bournemouth are stepping up the chase for the 20-year-old talent, then Everton must make sure they respond..
