RALF RANGNICK insists that loaded RB Leipzig couldn’t afford to buy Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor or Odsonne Edouard.

Boss Rangnick — one of the most respected head coaches in Germany — rates the Hoops trio as ‘great talents’.

4 Rangnick is out to beat Celtic in Germany Credit: EPA

Leipzig were formed nine years ago, with their astonishing rise to the top level massively funded by Dietrich Mateschitz who owns energy drink giant Red Bull.

Over the last five seasons they’ve shelled out a staggering £200million on players — including £43m alone in the summer window.

But Rangnick is such a huge fan of left-back Tierney, midfielder McGregor and striker Edouard that he still doesn’t think Mateschitz would be able to produce enough money to tempt Parkhead chiefs into selling them.

The 60-year-old — in his second spell in charge at Leipzig, who are unbeaten in six games and fifth in the Bundesliga — said: “Tierney, McGregor and Edouard are great talents in Scottish football.

“Tierney in particular is one of the biggest talents in Europe. He can defend and he likes to get forward.

“Those three are good players but Celtic are a club that is well known across Europe for not letting players go for a bargain.

4 Tierney is a huge asset to Celtic Credit: PA:Press Association

“We are not interested in them though — because we don’t have the kind of money needed to invest in those players!”

Rangnick — in charge of Schalke when they played Hearts in the 2004 UEFA Cup — isn’t taking any notice of Celtic’s abysmal away record in Europe, which reads two wins from 43 games in the Champions League and Europa League.

He’s a fan of their playing style — but also of Brendan Rodgers.

He said: “I can’t tell you if Celtic have played badly in Europa League or Champions League qualification, so I can’t talk about their away record.

“But I do know Brendan Rodgers from Celtic and his spell at Liverpool and we know how he likes his teams to play.

“They don’t play typically kick-and-rush Scottish football. They have technically strong players and they always try to find solutions by playing technical football.

4 Edouard joined the Hoops permanently from PSG for a club record fee Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow

“They like to press and build from the back using their wing backs. Celtic are a good team.

“We don’t think it will be an easy encounter. We don’t necessarily need a high victory but the most important thing is winning.

“It looks like the two games against Celtic might be definitive as these two teams will be fighting for second spot.

“Salzburg have won both their games and I’d expect them to win both matches against Rosenborg.

“I talked with Brendan a few years ago when he was with Liverpool. We exchanged ideas and spoke about our jobs at the time.

“Since then I’ve been following him. He’s in his third year at Celtic and with Marvin Compper going there, we keep an eye on what is happening in Glasgow.”

Rangnick is surprised and upset that ex-Leipzig stopper Compper has failed to cut it at Parkhead since moving in January.

4 Leipzig boss says his side couldn't afford McGregor and Co Credit: PA:Press Association

He said: “Myself and Marvin had high expectations after his transfer to Celtic. He’s had to fight injury problems and couldn’t train for a long time.

“I’ve known him a long time and he’s a leader on the pitch. But he can only show it if he’s playing.

“We chatted a few weeks ago and we wish him all the best.”

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