KIERAN Tierney proved against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night that he is a “special player” who shows the same passion towards playing for Celtic jersey once exhibited by Tommy Burns or Peter Grant.

That is the opinion of Brendan Rodgers, about a 20-year-old left-back who reaped the rewards of a stellar year with a bumper contract extension on the eve of the match which will take him right through to the summer of 2023.

As much as the continent’s top clubs sit up and take notice, Rodgers hopes the personal development shown against the likes of Arjen Robben in midweek will persuade him that his long-term future continues to be at Parkhead.

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“He is a really special player,” said Rodgers. “First and foremost, he is a defender. But for 20 years of age, to play with that composure …

“It helps that Kieran wants to be here and knows he is developing,” the Celtic manager added. “He knows he’s in a place and an environment where he knows he’s improving.

“You saw against Bayern how he’s improving with how he’s being asked to play in Europe. If he ever goes in the future, he knows when he leaves here, he’s playing the game tactically and technically at the top level.

“But at this moment, he’s 20, he’s loving his development here and he’s Celtic daft. You can see him in it. The last ones you saw like that are the likes of Tommy Burns, or Peter Grant. He’s so passionate about it.

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“But the most important thing is that he and his family see the development and he’s still in that cycle of learning. He’s developing at the moment into a brilliant player.”

While it was Ronny Deila who first blooded this Isle of Man-born youngster in the first team, Brendan Rodgers has only been at Celtic for 17 months and has twice improved his terms and conditions.

“The contract is a sign and a symbol of the improvement he has made in a year,” said Rodgers. “He signed a contract when I first came in, a new deal. Then over the course of a year, we feel there has been big improvement in him, so you want to reward that.

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“He had three and a half years left anyway, so it’s an extension of two and a half to take him through to that length of time. It’s just recognition for how well he’s progressed and puts him on a level of salary where he feels he is working well and getting the rewards for it. That’s important. I said when I came in I like to reward players who are doing well and he really deserves it. But he’s tight as a dead heat! Seriously, he’s a great kid.”

The Northern Irishman also had words of support for Dedryck Boyata, the Belgian whose failure to clear the long pass from Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich led to the opening goal. “If you hesitate at this level you get punished - simple as that,” said Rodgers. “Kingsley Coman makes these runs across the line and if you are indecisive you get punished. He has been brilliant since he came in, but it’s a level where you have to go head it and be aggressive. From that he’ll learn.”