Kris Boyd thinks Kieran Tierney, Stuart Armstrong and Moussa Dembele would quit Celtic if Brendan Rodgers moves on.
Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers
Kilmarnock striker and former Rangers ace Kris Boyd has told The Scottish Sun that he thinks Kieran Tierney, Stuart Armstrong and Moussa Dembele could all leave Celtic if Brendan Rodgers departs.
The Bhoys sealed the Scottish Premiership title with a 5-0 win at Hearts on Sunday afternoon, with Scott Sinclair’s hat-trick handing Celtic a sixth straight league crown.
Whilst each of Celtic’s six straight title wins have been impressive, this one one may just be the best of the bunch, having won the title without losing a game.
Celtic have dropped just four points over the course of the season, and their superb performances are down to the work of manager Brendan Rodgers, who replaced Ronny Deila at the end of last season.
Rodgers, who guided Celtic into the Champions League group stages as well, has rebuild his reputation following his exit from Liverpool in 2015, and his exploits are bound to trigger interest from Premier League clubs again.
The Northern Irishman has been touted by many for the Arsenal job should Arsene Wenger leave this summer, and the 44-year-old should be on the radar of other clubs too.
However, Kilmarnock striker and former Scotland international Kris Boyd has told The Scottish Sun that he thinks three players – Kieran Tierney, Stuart Armstrong and Moussa Dembele – will all leave Celtic if Rodgers moves on this summer.
“Celtic supporters should enjoy the success their team is having right now…chances are it’s not going to last,” said Boyd. “Sure, with Brendan Rodgers in charge things are looking good at Parkhead. But what if Arsene Wenger leaves Arsenal this summer and the London giants come calling for the Celtic boss? Does anyone think he’s going to think twice about walking away? Rodgers would be on the first shuttle to Heathrow and quite rightly so.”
Celtic’s Moussa Dembele shoots at goal
“Then where would Celtic be? I’ll tell you. Peter Lawwell would have a queue of players at his door, all asking away. Moussa Dembele could soon be on his way, whether Rodgers is the manager or not. Kieran Tierney has a different club looking at him every other week. Now Stuart Armstrong is an international player who is certain to attract big interest. Lose three players like that and suddenly Celtic’s squad doesn’t look so strong.”
“It’s okay to say the club would be raking in millions but it’s not easy replacing quality players.
It’s not like Celtic are going to sell Dembele for £30m and then spend £30m on bringing someone else in. Time will tell what’s going to happen in the months to come. But if I was a Celtic fan I’d be wary of milking things too much,” he added.
Left back Tierney has continued his rapid development under Rodgers with another impressive campaign, whilst striker Dembele has been arguably Rodgers finest signing, having hit 32 goals in 46 games since joining from Fulham last summer.
Midfielder Armstrong is an interesting case though, as the new Scotland international has been Celtic’s most improved player under Rodgers, and with 12 goals and six assists to his name this season, the 25-year-old could attract major Premier League interest – and losing Rodgers could lead some Celtic players to pursue moves of their own.
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