Brendan Rodgers admits it’s possible Kieran Tierney could leave Celtic in the summer

KIERAN TIERNEY hopes to stay at Celtic for life. But Brendan Rodgers reckons his young star’s will could be tested sooner rather than later – and money might talk.

Tierney put pen to paper on a bumper six-year contract at Parkhead in November. The 20-year-old celebrated by revealing he wanted an even longer deal.

But with inevitable interest from Premier League sides mounting, Rodgers is remaining realistic about the Hoops’ hopes of hanging on to their dazzling young left-back.

“I don’t want to say either/or, really,” Rodgers answered, when asked whether Tierney fell into the “Not For Sale” category.

Then he elaborated.

“The time when players were not for sale are long gone,” he said. “The kid’s signed a long-term deal and you can see the happiness he has here.

“Having been at the club, there’s something natural that can happen here.

“But there’s also a moral aspect to it, where if a player is on X amount of money, and he’s offered five times more by someone else and the club also has a big offer then it’s something that will be spoken about.

“Kieran, because of his age and his talent, is always going to be linked with other clubs. There will be suitors watching him.

“But he’s content to be here, and last weekend was his best performance against Rangers for me. He played with composure and calmness, and you can see he’s maturing all the time.

“He’s a big talent but I could never say one way or another what his future will be.

“Everyone would rather he stayed, but it’s not all down to Celtic. Maybe there’s nothing you can do. It’s when it becomes real.”

Manchester United have long been credited with an interest in Tierney, along with Spurs, while Bournemouth are the latest Premier League side linked with Celtic’s £20m-rated star.

Having managed in the English top league, Rodgers knows better than most that Celtic cannot compete with the wages on offer to its top players.

And while he doesn’t expect that to be the sole factor in Tierney’s decision-making process, he accepts it will have an impact.

“This is his life and he loves being here,” said Rodgers. “His mum and dad are Celtic-daft.

“But it is a short career and you have to be mindful of that, and it’s only right.

“The number of times I hear about players from times gone by, and of the great loyalty they showed to the club. Then I’m told they’re now struggling, financially.

“So you have to consider that aspect, especially when there is a limit as to how far your club can push.”