Celtic defender Kieran Tierney is reportedly on Manchester United’s radar.
Former Manchester United trialist Matthew Knox has insisted that he could understand if Kieran Tierney decided to ignore speculation linking him with a switch to Old Trafford and stayed with Celtic, but suggested to the left-back that he will develop quicker by leaving Parkhead, the Daily Record reports.
The Record reports that the 19-year-old is attracting the Premier League side’s attention, and a £10 million bid may be in the pipeline.
Barcelona’s Luis Suarez in action with Celtic’s Kieran Tierney
And Livingston midfielder Knox – who has had three trials with the Red Devils over the last year (via Record) – believes that while Tierney may find it difficult to tear himself away from the Hoops, it may be in his best interests to move on, even if he does not enjoy anywhere near as much first-team football.
“Moving to a club like Manchester United is every player’s dream and when that door opens it’s almost impossible to say no. But he’s been playing for Celtic in front of all of those fans every week at Celtic Park and that’s a dream come true as well if I’m being honest,” he said, as reported by the Record.
“It would be a great move for him, brilliant for his development. I honestly believe if he was to stay at Celtic then he wouldn’t develop as quickly,” he would later add.
Though Knox thinks moving to United would be good for Tierney’s development, and recent reports suggest that his path to the first-team may become slightly clearer in the summer – the Independent reports that Luke Shaw is set to be sold at the end of the season – the left-back would certainly be forgiven for questioning whether it would be a good idea to leave the Bhoys.
With Celtic, he is one of the first names on the teamsheet and, while the Scottish Premiership has become something of a formality for Brendan Rodgers’ side this term, he has still been able to test himself against some of the best in Europe this season following the club’s qualification to the group-stages of the Champions League.
And with there being no guarantee that he will enjoy the same role at United, he will know that making a move at the wrong time – if leaving Celtic is at all on his radar – could result in his career stagnating.
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