‘Against Elanga’ – Brendan Rodgers on what Kieran Tierney could ‘easily’ do after Celtic Park welcome

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It has been a great weekend to be a Celtic fan.

Celtic thrashed Newcastle United 4-0 in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon, and there were many great moments to come out of the match.

Kieran Tierney’s Celtic Park return was one of the standout moments, as the left-back received a hero’s welcome from the home crowd.

There were four goals scored during the game, but there is no doubt that Tierney being introduced into the action in the second half generated the loudest cheer.

• READ MORE: What Kieran Tierney posted on social media after Celtic Park reception against Newcastle

Brendan Rodgers on Kieran Tierney’s Celtic Park reception

It was fitting that Tierney assisted Liam Scales’ goal on his return to Glasgow, and hopefully, that’s a sign of things to come.

Brendan Rodgers told Celtic TV that it would have been a ‘strange’ feeling for Tierney when he came back onto the pitch of his boyhood club because he felt the same way when he returned in 2023.

Rodgers told Celtic TV: “Initially, it’s about coming in and adapting to a massive club (for the new players).

“For Kieran, there is that strange feeling of coming back again. I had it similar (experience) myself.

“It will be so good for Kieran. You felt the reception he got, which was amazing. It’s like he had never been away. The little combination to score.”

What Tierney could ‘easily’ do after facing Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga

At the age of 28, Tierney is still at the peak of his powers, and Rodgers noted the left-back’s qualities after the win over Newcastle.

The Scotland star faced Newcastle’s new signing, Anthony Elanga, and Rodgers told his post-match press conference that Tierney could ‘easily’ play at the top level in the English Premier League.

The Celtic manager expressed how it is ‘amazing’ a player like Tierney still wants to play for the champions of Scotland.

Rodgers also added in his post-match press conference: “I wanted him to get a specific welcome back. Just to get him back here, at his age, he could easily be playing at the top end of the Premier League.

“So, to get a player of that level and that desire to play for Celtic is amazing for us. It was a great moment and another connection with him, and the support.

“Then you see when he is on there. He is playing against Elanga, who has been a brilliant signing for Newcastle, but Kieran has got pace and power, and then you see how he created the goal. Just that explosive speed and the quality.”