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Ian McGarry is a football recruitment consultant who spent more than 25 years watching, analysing and writing about Scottish football.

And he believes that Everton have a "deal in principle" agreed for transfer target Kieran Tierney, and that the Celtic defender has more natural talent than Liverpool's surprise hit of last season, Andy Robertson.

After signing from Hull City for £8m the Scottish international left-back was understudy to Alberto Moreno, until an injury to the Spaniard in December gave Robertson a chance which he grabbed and never looked back.

Celtic left-back Tierney is the new coming force in Scottish football and Everton have monitored his progress closely.

Celtic want £25m for a player who boss Brendan Rodgers describes as a "wonderful talent" but at just 21-years-old and unproven outside the Scottish Premier League Everton are unlikely to go above £20m.

McGarry, however, believes he is worth the investment.

"I think there's more to him than Andy (Robertson)," he told the Daily Star.

(Image: Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

"Andy's been brilliant for Liverpool and will continue to improve, but I think Tierney has more natural talent to his game.

"He reminds me of Ashley Cole.

"Cole, despite his slight physique could attack like a left winger and had a brilliant turn of pace as well, but he was a terrier in defence.

"Tierney reminds me of him, and Cole is probably the best left-back of the Premier League era."

McGarry also believes that deal in principle has already been agreed with Everton, provided the Blues can come to an agreement with Celtic over a transfer fee.

"I'm told Celtic are very calm and unperturbed about the fact his agents are actively marketing him in the Premier League," he added.

"But (his agents) have agreed, in principle, a deal with Everton which could be worth around £85,000-a-week to the player, including step-ups in salary per year of a five-year contract so by year five he'd be expecting to earn in the region of £140,000-a-week.

"It's a very tempting one for Tierney."

The player is due to be involved for Celtic in today's pre-season friendly against Shamrock Rovers and Rodgers said: "Kieran has been absolutely brilliant, as per normal. He is totally focused and, thankfully, he is at a club he loves.

“He’s still trying to get fit, still learning. There has been no change in Kieran. Absolutely nothing fazes him.

“He’s a wonderful talent, a great boy to work with, everything you would want as a manager.”