Pundit Chris Sutton has astonishingly claimed that Celtic full-back Kieran Tierney would attract interest from Champions League holders Real Madrid.
The 20-year-old has become an integral part of the first-team at Celtic Park over the last two years, contributing with two goals and 12 assists as the Hoops achieved a memorable treble last season.
The full-back has continued to impress this season, scoring a total of two goals and providing four assists in all competitions so far.
The youngster decided to commit his future to the SPL champions last week when he put pen to paper on a brand new six-year deal at the club.
The Scotland international is looking to help Celtic achieve history on the weekend as they look to extend their unbeaten run in domestic competitions to 63 matches.
Writing in his column for the Daily Record, former Hoops man Sutton is confident that big European teams will be keeping a close eye on the youngster in the near-future and he should be rated as one of the best in his position.
“I got a bit of stick in midweek for saying saying they shouldn’t be entertaining any talk of anything less than £30million,” he wrote.
“But surely people now realise that’s the market Tierney is in. I look at the likes of Luke Shaw at Manchester United at £30m and Kyle Walker going to Manchester City for £50m.
“Tierney at £30m would be a bargain. He’s only 20 and with his attitude he will get even better.
“There’s absolutely no doubt he can cut it at the likes of United, Chelsea or Arsenal but I’d go even further.
“European teams will be looking at him – including the likes of Real Madrid.
“That’s how good he is and that’s why it’s hard to see him spending his entire career at Celtic.”
OPINION
There is no doubt that Tierney deserves more credit for his performances with the Hoops over the past couple of years but Sutton’s claim is very over the top. Despite their recent poor run of form, Real Madrid possess two of the finest full-backs in European football right now with Marcelo and Dani Carvajal. Comments such as these put unnecessary pressure on the player and also might influence the way the fans react to him if he suffers a dip in form. After signing a new deal at the club, Tierney should just be allowed to enjoy his football and continue to perform on the biggest stage both domestically and in Europe.