Former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov believes his old club are bracing themselves for a big-money move for Kieran Tierney .
The full-back, 21, has been on the radar of top Premier League clubs such as Manchester United, Spurs and Arsenal since his emergence as a Hoops star.
Tierney has a long-term deal than runs until 2023 but Petrov – who left the Hoops for Aston Villa in 2006 – believes that won’t put English clubs off bidding this summer.
The Bulgarian said: “You don’t go under the radar if you are consistently one of the top performers.
“I don’t know if it will be this summer or next but I do think at some point Celtic ’s resolve will be tested.
“And if a huge offer comes in the reality is you have to take it. It will take big money to get him. I don’t know how much but it will be no problem for a Man United or whatever.
“The boy just has to keep doing what he is doing. Getting into the Champions League can be so important for his development.
“He has the potential to go on and be world-class. He could go to a Man United or any other top-level club because he’s been brought up having to play under pressure.
“Like all good players he has not just survived in that environment but has flourished and those who have the temperament to deal with that are the guys who make it to the top.
“He has shown he can cope at European level. In the Champions League he has been excellent. But it is also about the way he behaves on the pitch. He has shown he is a leader.
“He has captained his country and he has captained Celtic. That is special for being only 21.
“He will get better all the time. As an ex-Celtic player and a Celtic fan I want him to be here for as long as possible. But that is not how football works.”
If there is uncertainty about Tierney’s future, it remains to be seen who takes charge of day-to-day matters next season. The Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday could help determine whether Neil Lennon is given the role on a permanent basis.
And Petrov, a former team-mate of Lennon, added: “Neil’s been put in a very difficult position but if he gets Celtic over the line in the league and wins the Scottish Cup, what more could he have done?
“I don’t know who would better him in terms of understanding the club and the pressures around it.”
