KIERAN TIERNEY has been backed to handle a move to Manchester City after the Premier League champions were linked with a transfer swoop for the Scotland star.

Ex-Celtic full-back Tierney moved to Arsenal for a record fee in August 2019 - but City have now been credited with an interest in the versatile defender.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed some impressive form at Arsenal but also suffered injury set-backs which hindered his game time.

However, former Man City midfielder Steve McManaman still reckons Tierney could be a useful option for Pep Guardiola if he were to go in for the full-back, who can also play centrally in the defence.

Celtic could be in line for a major windfall should a deal be reached with the club reported to have kept a 15 per cent sell on when Tierney moved to Arsenal.

Speaking to Horseracing.net McManaman explained Man City need a left-back to bolster their defence and Tierney would be a fine choice.

He said: “He’s a good left-back and City need a left-back. I mean they’ve got Oleksandr Zinchenko who’s been in and out. The Benjamin Mendy case is ongoing.

"They’ve played a number of people at that position and they don’t seem to be comfortable at it. Guardiola doesn’t seem to be entirely comfortable with Nathan Ake playing there, Zinchenko playing there, Cancelo playing there. He’s played a lot of people in those positions over a number of years now and I think he wants a left-back.

"Whether someone moves on and he brings a left-back in, but I think Kieran Tierney would be absolutely fine playing there.

"Man City seem solid enough centrally. They seem solid enough on the right-hand side. Joao Cancelo can play on the left, but he’s better as a right-back, so these are gaps that Guardiola will probably think need plugging a bit.

"You can also see people leaving Man City if they are to bring people in, because the squad is so talented, that’s the hard part of managing these squads now - keeping 20 international players happy.”