Rodgers excited to find the next KT
Britain Football Soccer - Heart of Midlothian v Celtic - Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership - Tynecastle - 30/4/16 Celtic's Kieran Tierney celebrates winning the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership at the end of the game Action Images via Reuters / Russell Cheyne Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Twelve months ago the bhoy from Wishaw was attempting to break into the Celtic side with Emilio Izaguirre firmly established at left-back.
When Tyler Blackett joined on loan from Manchester United it seemed that the door was closing on Tierney but after getting a chance against Fenerbahce his first team place was secured.
There is no precise science to developing teenagers into top team players but after four days of pre-season training Rodgers is impressed with the raw talent he has inherited.
“I was at Liverpool and down through the years they have had a wonderful tradition of Scottish players, so the talent is there,” the hoops boss explained.
“Socially things have changed now as well and things are different because of that. But there is no doubt the country has talent, it is just about honing it and making it work.
“You have an outstanding national team manager in Gordon Strachan, who can develop the players he has coached with Mark McGhee. These are guys who will give youngsters every chance to develop. Kieran is the perfect example of that, but I look at the other guys as well.
“Some of the young kids here in the training sessions, with the intensity and tempo, dealt with it really well.
“That was two training sessions I put on at the very top level of the game. So it is still very early and it’s not all about the talent.
“You also need to have to have the personality to succeed. That will help determine whether your talent is wasted or not.”
As well as Tierney, Academy kids Calum McGregor and Liam Henderson both enjoyed regular first team football as they prepare to impress the new manager.