Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney has been told he is better than Manchester United star Luke Shaw by former Celtic striker, Frank McAvennie.
The Scotland international has battled with injury issues throughout his Gunners career so far, but there are no doubts over his talent.
He has become a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium and has the attitude and work rate of a player fit for Mikel Arteta's long-term ambitions at Arsenal.
Although the Gunners' form has been entirely mixed over the last couple of seasons, Tierney has always looked competent in his role down the left-side of defence and has been pinpointed as one of the key men in the side.
And now that he has a decent centre-back partnership alongside him in Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White, he could go onto achieve great things with the club.
"He's the key for Arsenal," McAvennie told Football Insider. "He's a big, big player. The fitter he gets, I think he can play for absolutely anyone.
"Tierney can go all the way, I think he’s better than Luke Shaw at Manchester United.
"There is no doubt in my mind he could make that step up. He could play for any club in the world.
"I can’t think of a left-back I would play ahead of him, I think he’s on a par with Andy Robertson."
McAvennie's view may be a little biased considering Tierney is a Celtic fan, but to even be named amongst the likes of Shaw and Robertson is high praise for the 24-year-old.
“He has been magnificent all season, he’s never one of the ones who gets criticised," McAvennie added.
"It's always Aubameyang or Xhaka, never Tierney. He's a model professional and he's so important to that side."
Tierney will be looking to go about his business quietly in the coming months, starting with a win over Brighton at the AmEx Stadium before another international break with Scotland.
