Liverpool star backs £25m-rated defender to shine in the PL, amid Arsenal links

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Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk has been quoted by the Evening Times as saying that Kieran Tierney has what it takes to make it in the Premier League, amid reports he could leave Celtic to join Arsenal for £25million this summer.

Tierney, 22, made his debut for Celtic under Ronny Deila way back in April 2015 – a match which the Hoops beat Dundee 2-1 away. Van Dijk scored the winner with a free-kick, before Tierney came on in the 81st minute.

The duo only combined in the senior side a handful of times before van Dijk left Celtic to join Southampton in the summer of 2015. Now, the Netherlands international is a potential Ballon d’Or winner with Liverpool.

The 26-time Netherlands international told the Evening Times that Tierney has what it takes to shine in the Premier League after 170 appearances for Celtic already. The Scottish Sun claim Arsenal are in talks for £25m-rated Tierney.

“It is not an easy step to make and you have to play well to do it,” van Dijk said. “But he has the qualities. Kieran made his debut against Dundee when I was at Celtic.

“I scored a free-kick up there and then he came on and helped us get the win. You could tell he was a good player who would do well.”

TBR’s view – Good Celtic business if Hoops get £25m for Tierney

Tierney is an excellent left-back and has proved in the Champions League that he is more than capable of playing against the likes of Barcelona, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

But it must be considered that Tierney is not playing at Premier League standard, week in, week out. It can make or break you, and Tierney is yet to be tried at that level.

If Celtic can rake in as much as £25million, then they will be executing some superb business in the window. Anything less than £15million will be a wasted opportunity.