BRENDAN RODGERS insists it is Kieran Tierney’s destiny to be captain of Celtic.
The 20-year-old defender became the youngest post-war skipper of the team when he led them out before the 5-0 rout of Kilmarnock in the Betfred League Cup at Parkhead last night.
And Tierney celebrated the historic moment by thundering in a wonder 35-yard strike for the Hoops’ fourth goal in a mesmerising display.against the Rugby Parkers whose resistance crumbled under the onsalught.
Rodgers started with six players aged 20 or under, but it was Tierney, taking over from the suspended Scott Brown, who took the spotlight with his incredible long-range effort that zoomed high into Jamie McDonald’s top left-hand corner.
The Hoops gaffer said: “Kieran’s made for it, there’s no doubt about that. We’ve got some real senior guys at the club and I could give anyone the captain’s armband – Craig Gordon or Mikael Lustig, for a start.
“But if you’re talking for the future once Brown’s time is up – which won’t be for a few years yet – then he’s made for it.
“He’s of that ilk. Kieran doesn’t waste his time doing stupid things, he’s concentrated on his football, he lives his life to be a player, he’s not drinking, he trains like an animal every day and wherever you ask him to play he plays it to a high level.
“Tactically, he’s improving all the time and he’s an absolute joy to work with.
“He would fit the mould of a captain, he’s certainly got the credentials. You have to be careful what age you give it to them, but there’s no doubt he’s on that journey to one day lead the club for sure.
“He took great pride in winning the Dafabet Cup against Sunderland, it means everything to him, to go into the huddle and say his speech.
“He’s one of those young guys who really inspires through his performance. He feels a real energy and pride, he knows what it means to play for Celtic and put the armband on and follow captains of this great club.
“Kieran knows it’s a privileged position and so I’m delighted for him. He plays with a smile, he comes into work every day and is a great, great boy. Scotland has a huge talent there.
“It was a great strike, he’s shown that in training, but he can’t get near the free-kicks because of Griff and others.
“Sometimes that central role allows him to step in and shoot and when you saw it on the screen his strike was as clean as a whistle. I’m delighted for him.
“Kieran got his worldy, it was an incredible strike, magnificent.”
Listen to the new CQN Podcast below…
