Brendan Rodgers says Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney can also play as a central defender, making him ideal for Liverpool.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he thinks left-back Kieran Tierney is good enough to play as a central defender as well.
Rodgers was specifically answering in reference to Tierney operating in the role for Scotland, but it seems the Northern Irishman perhaps considers the 20-year-old in the position at club level as well.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
“He is very multi-functional, he has good ideas and he is gaining confidence in passing and playing – he is a big talent,” the 44-year-old told the Daily Record.
“He’s a young boy I’d like to develop to play different positions. I had [Raheem] Sterling (at Liverpool) and played him top of a diamond. I played him left side, played him as a striker.
“It gives them great value and confidence in their game.
“They see the game from a different viewpoint and when you look at Kieran, rather than being the stiff left-back who gets rid of the ball he is now cultured and can pass it and is quick in the recovery.
“You need to have that when you are playing for a big club and you need to have it internationally. He is improving all the time in that aspect.”
This should be music to the ears of Rodgers’ former club Liverpool, who were linked by the Mirror in June with a move for Tierney to solve their own issues on the left side of defence.
With question marks over Alberto Moreno, boss Jurgen Klopp used usual midfielder James Milner extensively in the position last season and is now clearly looking for a more long-term solution.
Celtic’s Kieran Tierney and Patrick Roberts celebrate after the match
So while a move to Anfield for Tierney would see him playing predominantly at left-back, the ability to go more centrally gives Klopp increased options – especially when both Ragnar Klavan and Dejan Lovren gave questionable performances over the past 12 months.
In praising Tierney, Rodgers may have just made the youngster even more appealing to his former employers.
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