Brendan Rodgers has cautioned that Celtic's long-term vision to ensure the continued success of the club has to be in the establishment of a “pipeline” of players ready to come into the club in preparation of others going out.

Speaking as Moussa Dembele and Craig Gordon were the subject of formal interest from Chelsea while Kieran Tierney was the subject of speculation linking him with a move to Sunderland, Rodgers admitted that it is vital for the Parkhead side that they know where they are going if and when they lose some of their significant players.

In the past few seasons Celtic have made substantial profits from the sale of players to the English Premiership with Virgil van Dijk, Victor Wanyama, Fraser Forster, Gary Hooper and Kelvin Wilson reaping in excess of £40m.

Signed for just £500k from Fulham this summer, Dembele is the latest player who fits that blueprint. The striker has netted 20 goals in 38 appearances with speculation about his long-term future kicking off within months of him arriving at the club following his Champions League performances for the Parkhead side.

Gordon was the subject of a second bid by Chelsea yesterday while Tierney is a player whom Rodgers fully expects will play at the very top level.

And as the final day of the transfer window loomed, Rodgers re-iterated his wish to keep his squad intact while acknowledging that the Hoops need to establish a strategy to ensure continued success while always being vulnerable to major talents being plucked by wealthier leagues.

“It is difficult because we have got is really talented players here,” Rodgers told Talksport. “There is a cycle at Celtic and it is unfortunate because it is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but how the game works now is that money talks in terms of wages.

“For us here, we have got some fantastic players and they are playing in front of 60,000 every other week. But if a player gets a chance to go and play at a different level and obviously earn the wages then there is a question asked of you. Likes of young Kieran Tierney.

“He had the opportunity to go to the Premiership last summer but he signed a five-year deal here and we have seen his development here.

“I am sure probably at some point that may happen. It is a difficult one because of course as a manager and a coach you want to keep your team together for as long as you can, create that environment of winning and keep developing year in year.

“That is the plan. But what is more important is that we have a pipeline in place to replace players because naturally they will leave and you want other ones ready to come in.”

In the meantime, though, Rodgers is adamant that he won’t be losing players in this window, with Tierney particularly one that the Celtic manager believes will be content at the club for a while to come.

“The kid loves it here,” said Rodgers. “I said when I came in he’s top class. But he’s 19, developing very well. He has so many good qualities.

“He’s a great young boy who’s living the dream. So there’s no rush for Kieran. He’s turned 19 and is playing in a team that suits his qualities and style. He’s a supporter who’s on the pitch and you see that in every performance.”