Kieran is good enough for City slickers
Owen Coyle says Arsenal transfer target Kieran Tierney would make an impact at any club – including English cleansweep winners Manchester City.
The 52-year-old, who turned down the chance to manage Celtic in 2009, has been a huge fan of the left-back from the time he first broke into the Hoops team.
“Kieran is a sensational talent and he’s only going to get better,” he said.
“Arsenal won’t be the only admirer. Top clubs all over the world will be watching him.
“Every club in England will know how good a player he is.
“I watch a lot of Premier League football and Kieran could play for any team in the league.
“I truly believe that. He is capable of going into the Manchester City team – that’s how good he is.
“You look at Andy Robertson and the impact he has made at Liverpool.
“Kieran could do the same at a top club in England.
“Scotland have two left-backs who belong in the top bracket of world football in that position.”
Celtic value the Scotland internationalist at £25 million and insist he will not be allowed to move on at a discount price.
It is a stance that Coyle, who as a player moved from Airdrieonians to Bolton, approves of.
“The good thing for Celtic is that Kieran is happy at the club,” he said.
“So, while there will be interest, Peter Lawwell and Neil Lennon will do everything they can to keep him.
“That is great because I think he will be even better next season.
“Kieran had a heavy schedule but he will come back refreshed.
“He has everything. He can get forward, take people on, get crosses in and score goals.
“Kieran has also really improved the defensive side of his game.
“He is brave and he likes to tackle. He can also play centre-half if needed, as he’s good in the air.
“Maybe when he was young, people thought you could get at him. I don’t see that now.
“If a top team in world football is looking for an identikit left-back, he ticks every box.”