YOUNG Player of the Year Kieran Tierney insists he never had his head turned by the prospect of a big-money move to England as his only thought was on earning a new deal at Celtic.
The defender was the subject of a sizeable bid from an unnamed English club last summer but turned it down because he felt he had unfinished business with his boyhood heroes.
The 19 year-old went on to sign a new five-year deal last June and was a key figure as Celtic reached the Champions League group stage, retained the Premiership title without losing a game, and won the League Cup.
Victory in Saturday’s William Hill Scottish Cup final will also earn them a first treble for 16 years. That all meant more to Tierney than the prospect of earning more money down south, with the arrival of Brendan Rodgers as manager also a key factor in his decision.
He said: “The manager came in and I had been told already there was a big bid there. It’s always flattering to hear other clubs are interested but I had no doubt in my mind I wanted to stay. There’s obviously more money in England but it was down to me and I felt I made the right decision to stay at Celtic.
"Most people probably would have jumped at the chance. The money factor is what a lot of people care about. But all I was working towards was earning a new deal at Celtic. I wasn’t looking to get myself a move somewhere else. Luckily that came about.
“The club could have brought in anybody as manager and I would have stayed but after speaking to Brendan I knew that something special was happening. The way he spoke to me for 10 minutes after the first day at training was brilliant. And that’s continued all year. Every time you speak to him you’re motivated and enjoying it in training.
“It was a dream season for me last year individually and the manager said he wanted to convince me to stay and sign a deal. But as soon as I trained under him, there was no convincing needed. I was going to stay at Celtic anyway.
“What we’ve achieved this season is brilliant and something the football club can be proud of. It’s brilliant playing for these fans and it’s great the atmosphere they create for us.”
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