YOU’LL ONLY GET THE BEST OUT OF KT AT LEFT-BACK
BRENDAN RODGERS has advised the new Scotland manager the way to get the best out of Kieran Tierney is to play him at left-back. The 20-year-old played right-back for former national gaffer Gordon Strachan towards the end of the failed World Cup qualification campaign. And interim boss Malky Mackay utilised him as a left-sided centre-back for the friendly defeat against Holland last week. The Celtic manager stressed that the next Hampden incumbent, whoever he is, will see the best of the Ladbrokes Premiership Player of the Month for October in his natural position. Rodgers said: “His best position is left-back and if he plays left-back for Scotland that’s where they will gain the maximum out of a super-talented young player.
“He has that adaptability to play in different positions. We play a number of different systems here. He has played as a left-sided centre-half, left side of a three, but you see his threat when he plays as a full-back or a wide player in a 3-4-3, how effective he is.
“He is blessed with a wonderful temperament as a young player. He is getting better, stronger and working on areas of his game that he knows need improving.
“He is one of those players who will play wherever the manager wants him to. But for Scotland to get the very best out of him then he is better suited to that one where he can push forward and create and score goals.” Tierney collected his Player of the Month award yesterday and said: “It’s my first one, I’m delighted with it and I couldn’t have done it without the boys.”
Rodgers acknowledged Mackay’s claim that Tierney could win 100 caps.
He added: “If he stays injury-free and his availability is there – I think Kenny (Dalglish, 102) is the only one with over 100 caps so there is a long way to go for him but he has a big future ahead.”
● Reserve keeper Dorus de Vries has signed a contract extension at Celtic until summer 2019.
The 36-year-old, signed in August last year from Nottingham Forest, has featured once this season, in a 1-0 win over Dundee.