KIERAN TIERNEY has admitted one chat with Brendan Rodgers was all it took to convince him to extend his stay at Celtic.
The left-back, voted Scotland’s Young Player of the Year last season, has agreed a new deal with the five-in-a-row champions that will keep him at the club until 2021.
Tierney took over from Emilio Izaguirre during the last campaign and his impressive form brought him to the attention of a host of clubs, including Arsenal and Rodger’s old team Liverpool.
However, the lifelong Hoops fan admitted that, after hearing Rodgers’ plans for him, he was happy to commit his future to the club for the next five years.
He said: “I’m delighted to be here and sign that new contract. The manager spoke to me after the first training session and told me he wanted to tie me up here.
“He told me this is the best place for me to be. And, with him managing the club now, I’m delighted to be here.
“The negotiations didn’t take too long at all. Basically, they only started once the new manager came in which was just four days.
“To get it done that quickly is brilliant. You don’t want to be training for four weeks and talks going on. So to have it sorted this fast is great.
“When I first saw him being linked with the job I wasn’t sure what to think. It seemed there was a different favourite for it every day.
“But when he got it I was delighted as he’s known for liking youngsters, bringing them on and playing good football. The whole squad is delighted he’s here.
“Hearing his backing for you gives you confidence, knowing he likes you already. You just have to try to keep that up.
“When the season comes, hopefully I’ve done enough for him to pick me. Everybody always raves about the football played under him and how good he is at developing youngsters so I just hope that happens for me.”
Tierney, who made his international debut during the season, admitted he was flattered to be linked with clubs down south, but never contemplated a move even for a second.
He added: “They (Arsenal and Liverpool) are huge clubs and it’s the Premier League, so, of course, you take a bit of pride in that. But I never thought about leaving at all.
“My mates were winding me up, sending me screenshots of the stories as a joke, but they knew I had no plans to leave. You think about the interest, but it never crossed my mind to leave.
“I don’t know what will happen four or five years down the line. For me, it’s all about Celtic for now.”
