Brendan Rodgers could struggle keeping Celtic favourite linked with £20m move to Manchester United

With Premier League giants Manchester United confident of signing Celtic defender Kieran Tierney this summer, manager Brendan Rodgers has a difficult task to ward off interest.

According to ESPN, United have been in touch over Tierney’s availability and were said to have scouted him during Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final win over Rangers.

The Red Devils need a young and versatile talent like the Scotland international, who has been outstanding since rising through the youth ranks to the Hoops’ first-team. Tierney’s breakthrough in Scottish football has been sensational.

Daily Record previously reported that the Europa League holders would have to pay Celtic £20m to land the 20-year-old’s signature, but Rodgers surely won’t let him go without a fight.

If Celtic did lose Tierney, the left-back would replace Luke Shaw and Ashley Young in Jose Mourinho’s starting lineup, but he can also play right-back and centre-back.

He’s already captained both Celtic and Scotland and looks like a leader-in-waiting, precisely the player United could benefit from. They have the money to meet any asking price too so Celtic may struggle to hold onto the defender.

With Young turning 33 in July, a player like Tierney would be an ideal replacement. He’s a danger in the final third and has the athleticism to get up and down the pitch for 90 minutes.