MONEY TALKS
Rodgers sure Tierney will still be at Celtic next season... but he admits the time is coming when the rising star will be made an offer he and the club can’t refuse
BRENDAN RODGERS admits Kieran Tierney may eventually receive an offer he cannot refuse — and leave the team of his dreams.
The Celtic manager is adamant, however, that he sees the left-back remaining at Parkhead next season despite the growing interest in securing his services.
Sportsmail revealed this week that Celtic have placed a £30million price tag on Tierney after it emerged Europa League winners Atletico Madrid plan to scout him at tomorrow’s scottish Cup final.
The 20-year-old also features on a list of Bournemouth targets, while Manchester United and Tottenham have been credited with an interest.
Tierney signed a six-year contract with his boyhood club last october and has spoken of potentially staying at Parkhead for the rest of his career.
Rodgers, though, believes he might not be able to ignore a future deal — mutually beneficial to Celtic — that could provide Tierney with security long after his playing days are over.
‘It’s not about a club if you move, because he could move to a number of clubs if he wanted, it’s about it being the right club,’ said Rodgers, who confirmed Charly Musonda will return to Chelsea after his loan was cut short.
‘I think at this moment in time in his life he’s at the right club. At a club like Celtic it’s quite natural, really, because 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 “y” and they give you that (fee) as a club.
‘Then it’s very, very difficult for a young player, or any player, to turn that down.
‘I’ve been up here a few years now and everyone talks about loyalty and all that sort of stuff. But it’s also a business for players.
‘It has to work for both. If the player doesn’t want to go, it’s okay, we won’t be pushing him out the door.
‘I don’t think there’s any big secret in it. The boy is 20, he’s playing for a huge club and he’s very, very happy.
‘Maybe in the future an opportunity might come for him that he will have to look at, and the club will look at, but at this moment in time it’s not even a conversation and I speak regularly with the boy in my office. He’s living the dream, really. He’s not ready to end it now.’
Asked if he was surprised a club of Atletico’s stature were eyeing Tierney, Rodgers added: ‘No, not at all. I think the game now is universal. If you play for a big club in whatever country there will always be people watching.
‘obviously, there is a dearth of good left-backs. With Kieran’s qualities and huge potential, that is always going to draw the eyes of top teams.
‘But it doesn’t bother him. He’s a really exceptional young guy. 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.
‘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”.’
Rodgers was reluctant to be drawn on his valuation of Tierney, saying: ‘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. This is his second full season playing and he’s still got development to go. He is in a great place to learn.’
Rodgers revealed he had travelled south this week to sort Musonda’s future. The 21-year-old Belgian joined Celtic on an 18-month loan deal in January, but started just two games for the Premiership champions.
While Musonda was unable to live up to the fanfare that accompanied his arrival, Rodgers insists the early termination had been made on good terms with both Chelsea and the player.
‘Charly will go back,’ he said. ‘on Monday, I flew to London and had a meeting with Chelsea about the football and business sides. My relations there are very strong.
‘Charly signed an 18-month loan deal with a break at the end of the season to discuss where it’s at and we both felt that, probably for what he needs at this stage of his career — and what I’d hope to give him — I can’t guarantee.
‘Charly’s not 17 or 18, like Pat Roberts was when he came in. He’s older and he’s at a stage where he needs to play and play week in, week out and unfortunately, I couldn’t guarantee him that. We had a look at it and it was best for him to go back and probably pick up a loan somewhere else.
‘There’s no denying Charly’s talent and it’s always difficult when you come into a club. You can only play 11 players and in the position that’s probably his best, Callum Mcgregor’s playing brilliantly.
‘Chelsea actually came to me and to us about the possibility of taking Charly. since I became a manager, I’ve taken six players from them on loan.
‘so I’ve got great relations there but, of course, it’s a business for them as well.’
Belgium Under-21 coach Johan Walem yesterday delivered a withering assessment of Musonda’s attitude after he refused a call-up, claiming: ‘Perhaps his problem is that he’s been told he’s too good far too often.’
‘I can only comment on the boy,’ responded Rodgers. ‘He’s a really clever boy, a young kid who needs to just get some games really.
‘He loved the club, you saw him the day we won the title and celebrating. He was a good boy but he’ll want to play football.’