Atleti to run rule over Celtic star

Atletico Madrid plan to watch Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney in action this weekend as their interest in him intensifies.

The 20-year-old has had a stand-out season for the Glasgow giants and Atleti are understood to be sending scouts to see him in action against Motherwell in the Scottish Cup final against Motherwell on Saturday.

However, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers insists there is no immediate prospect of Tierney leaving the club in the near future, although he does accept it will be difficult to hold on to the player if they receive a big enough offer.

“There’s a shortage of good left-backs. With Kieran’s qualities and huge potential still as a young player, he is always going to draw the eyes of top teams,” the Irishman told The Herald.

“Kieran has a really good temperament and that is getting better in big names. Tactically, he understands the game much better and physically he can cope with any league in the world – he has got stronger and faster.

“I’m sure there will be times over the next few years when his passion and love for Celtic will be tested, as obviously there are financial implications to think about, and he can’t not have that opportunity if it arises.

“He knows that to ever leave Celtic it must be a win-win situation for him and the club. But he’s a player who is not for sale.

“This is just his second full season but he still needs to develop and he is in a great place to learn,” maintained Rodgers.