Kieran Tierney: Best role for Scotland is left-back insists Brendan Rodgers

Tierney is the second youngest Scotland captain in more than a century

The next Scotland manager will get the best out of Kieran Tierney at left-back, says Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.

Tierney, 20, captained Scotland from central defence in last week's friendly defeat to the Netherlands.

He has also been utilised at right-back by the national side, with Liverpool's Andrew Robertson used on the left.

"His best position is left-back and if he plays there for Scotland then they will gain the maximum out of a super-talented young player," said Rodgers.

"He has that adaptability to play in different positions. We play a number of different systems here. He has played as a left-sided centre-half, left side of a three, but you see his threat when he plays as a full-back or a wide player in a 3-4-3, how effective he is.

"He's just blessed with this wonderful gift. He's got a wonderful temperament as a young player. He is getting better, stronger and working on areas of his game that he knows needs improving.

"He is one of those players that he will play wherever the manager wants him to play.

"But for Scotland to get the very best out of him, then he is better suited to that one where he can push forward and create and score goals."

Tierney, who made his debut in April 2015, will make his 100th club appearance when the champions visit Ross County on Saturday.

Tierney shows off his player of the month award

And the rising star, who recently signed a new six-year contract, had his spirits lifted further on receipt of the Scottish Premiership player of the month award for October.

Tierney himself says he will play wherever he is asked to, but he admits there can be tricky issues to handle.

"The right back one was hard, everything is opposite," he said.

"Centre back, when it's left centre back you're still on your left foot, you're still coming up and driving up with the ball which isn't too different from left back.

"Also when you're playing right back you get to go up as well, centre back you're more defensive. So there are pros and cons in both positions."

Tierney played in seven games last month, including two World Cup qualifiers for Scotland and two Champions League defeats to Bayern Munich.

He was on target in a 3-0 win over nearest league rivals Aberdeen in October, with Celtic also beating Dundee and drawing at home to Kilmarnock.

Interim Scotland coach Malky Mackay said his choice of skipper could go on to win 100 caps and Rodgers agrees that he "could be around for many years".

"His first goal I am sure will be 50 caps, that's the goal for a lot of international players and see where they go from there," he added.

"If he stays injury-free and his availability is there... Kenny Dalglish (102) is the only one with over 100 caps so there is a long way to go for him but he has a big future ahead."

Celtic goalkeeper Dorus de Vries has also signed a contract extension until 2019. The 36-year-old Dutchman signed for the champions in August last year from Nottingham Forest, having previously worked with Rodgers at Swansea City.