Rodgers on Tierney talk after Champions League glory against Real Madrid

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The Celtic Star

·19 April 2025

Rodgers on Tierney talk after Champions League glory against Real Madrid

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers revealed he spoke with Kieran Tierney this week after Arsenal qualified for the Champions League semi-final following a stunning two-legged victory over Real Madrid…

Players of Arsenal celebrate victory following the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Real Madrid C.F. and Arsenal FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Rodgers is also confident that Greg Taylor’s strong character will allow him to work seamlessly alongside Kieran Tierney. However, the manager concedes that the matter is beyond his control as he awaits clarity on the future of his current left-back.

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Celtic have secured Kieran Tierney on a pre-contract from Arsenal, as the former fan favourite continues to help the Gunners in their quest of winning the Champions League come June.

Greg Taylor of Celtic reacts during the UEFA Champions League Training on February 11, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Rodgers believes both players can play a major role for Celtic

Rodgers is keen to have Greg Taylor involved in the long-term working with KT, but that remains uncertain as a contract extension has yet to be finalised.

The Celtic manager joked that his wingers are on alert because of Tierney’s recent attacking contributions. Rodgers said: “I was in contact with him during the week and told him our wingers are very scared now! Because he’s playing on the left and the right.”

“Kieran plays his role. It’s a different type of role”

However, the idea of him pairing up with Taylor as left-backs is what the Celtic boss wants for next season, as he went on to explain: “Kieran plays his role. It’s a different type of role. He can do that, he can jump on the inside and be outside.”

Kieran Tierney of Arsenal celebrates with team mates Oleksandr Zinchenko and Declan Rice after scoring a goal that is later disallowed due to an offside offence during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brentford FC at Emirates Stadium on April 12, 2025. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

“He has different strengths and qualities. When you are trying to build a squad, you are trying to have different strengths within it. Kieran has pace, power and running ability. He also has a passion for the club and can’t wait to be here.”

“We will improve as a squad when he comes back”

“Irrelevant of his experiences, we will improve as a squad when he comes back. I’m just really pleased for him. It was a fantastic performance by Arsenal [against Real Madrid]over the two legs and to see him be involved in that is obviously a great experience for him. It’s going to be a really exciting last couple of months for him there.”

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers steps off the Celtic team bus at Celtic Park. Celtic v Kilmarnock, Scottish Premiership, 12 April 2025. IMAGO Photo Stuart Wallace, Shutterstock

“We know what we are getting with Kieran”

Rodgers added: “We know what we are getting with Kieran. He’s a player with great experience because every single week in the Premier League is like a big European game.”

“It’s so challenging and testing and he’s had a number of years of that. We are getting him back at a brilliant age and, hopefully, he can help this squad achieve a lot more. But we also need a squad of players and it can dovetail perfectly with someone like Greg. But we have to wait and see.”

Conor Spence

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