Celtic players were the subject of significant interest in the January transfer window and the months leading up to it, with most of the furore surrounding their star French striker Moussa Dembele.

Both Manchester United and Chelsea were reported to be interested in his services with the latter linked heavily in the last week of the window.

He's not the only player with potential at the Hoops, though. Brendan Rodgers is cultivating an exciting young team in Glasgow, taking the country by storm and readying his squad for another tilt at Europe next season.

One young footballer in particular is attracting a lot of interest and looks to have a very bright future ahead of him in the game.

Kieran Tierney seems to improve by the week for Celtic and has become one of the most iconic and popular men with the Celtic support.

Here are FIVE reasons he is the Celtic player that Man United and Chelsea should be looking at...

A born winner

Tierney's first full season as a Celtic player was extraordinary given he was only 18 when it kicked off. The young left-back was a key part of the Hoops' title-winning side last term, proving he has the consistency and determination to win major honours.

His performances were recognised at the end of the season when he won the Football Writers' and Players' Player of the Year Awards.

The young Scot is a born winner and goes into every game believing the Hoops are going to be victorious. That mentality is key for the likes of Man United and Chelsea, who will be the first to tell you that the key thing with consistency in title-winning campaigns is having the right mentality.

Tierney was born with it and only develops it further week in and week out under Rodgers.

A team player

The responsibility Tierney takes on his shoulders every matchday is a big reason why he's become so popular with the Celtic support.

Always willing to cover and help out his team-mates, he is the definition of a team player. He has undoubted ability on his own, often taking on men down the left flank but it's his eagerness to link up with the likes of Dembele and Scott Sinclair that makes Celtic tick.

He is a force of nature down that left-hand flank and it's no surprise that the majority of the Hoops' best play comes from his side of the pitch.

That supportive nature would be huge both at Chelsea and Man United who, despite their famous stars, are doing so well right now because they're playing as a unit.

Ready to go in Europe

Tierney has gone through a significant learning process in his last two seasons of European football at Celtic. With ups and downs, he's learnt the hard way about what it takes to face Europe's top players.

He's featured 13 times so far in the Europa League and Champions League and has shown at times he's more than capable of playing at the top level.

That was perhaps most notable against Manchester City in this year's group stage of Europe's biggest club competition. During the thrilling 3-3 draw Tierney was one of Celtic's key players, providing the shot that Raheem Sterling turned into his own net and supplying Dembele with an assist for his wonderful overhead effort.

That readiness to play against elite competition is huge considering both clubs have missed out on the Champions League this season and need to hit the ground running in next year's tournament should they both qualify.

Fits into both sides perfectly

Tierney is adept both in attack and defence making him a perfect fit for the way both sides go about their business in the Premier League.

That's particularly true at Chelsea, where he'd naturally fit into the 3-4-3 system used so expertly by Antonio Conte this season. With tireless energy and commitment, he has the natural fitness required to be a big force on the left flank for both sides.

At just 19, you'd expect his physical attributes to be enhanced even further as he develops into his 20s.

Limitless potential

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Rangers' James Tavernier in action with Celtic's Kieran Tierney 
Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
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As we've discussed, Tierney's ability is already of the level that he can play against top opposition but it's his potential that should really excite Man United and Chelsea.

He's already earning international caps competing against the likes of talented Hull City defender Andrew Robertson and is still just a teenager. He has near limitless potential.

If Man United or Chelsea can get him early, they could be bringing a player that can enhance their first-team squad for a decade or more and that could prove to be a bargain in the long run.