TOFFEEGRAPPLE FORACETIERNEY
FROM BACK PAGE asset if an “astronomical fee” is offered for the talented 21-year-old.
Record Sport revealed yesterday Everton are weighing up a move for Tierney after new Goodison manager Marco Silva identified him as a potential long-term successor to Leighton Baines.
The defender signed a new six-year deal with the champions last October but it’s understood Toffees are still ready to test the water.
While Rodgers hasn’t received a concrete offer at this stage, he admits Celticdaft Tierney and the club could have a major dilemma on their hands if a huge offer is made.
Rodgers said: “It will be down to the club in the end. If an astronomical fee comes in for a player and he has wages to match that, the transfer window can dictate he may have to go.
“Of course, we want to keep our players. Ideally they wouldn’t go but I can never say realistically that everyone will definitely stay because the club may get an offer they can’t refuse.
“Kieran’s happy and loves being at Celtic. He can only wait and, if something concrete comes in, he may have a decision to make along with the club.
“I’ll always give him advice but ultimately it’ll then be down to him and the club.
“That is always going to be the difficult one for Kieran because he genuinely is Celtic-daft.
“You see his passion and love but football is a harsh business. That’s what it is.
“It’s a business where the career is very short and, if he can earn four or five times the money he’s on at Celtic, then who am I to say not to do it?”
Former Liverpool boss Rodgers hopes to continue to nurture Tierney’s talent but wouldn’t want to stand in the way of his shot at the Premier League.
Rodgers said: “I want to develop Kieran the best I can and make him the best he can be.
“But if he’s leaves Celtic he’ll only be going to a topclass club. Of course I would want him to be here for as long as I am here but my job is to maximise the talent.
“There’s no question he’s a really hungry player who will get better and better.
“To stay at Celtic would be brilliant for him.
“But if he’s playing at that (Premier League) level week in, week out that would improve him also.”
Celtic play the second game of their Austria tour today against Bohemians Prague. Kick-off 2pm.