Ex-Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has likened former Aberdeen loan star James Maddison to Phillipe Coutinho.

Maddison has starred for Leicester City this season and played a big role in their first four matches where they remained unbeaten.

That all fell as they lost 1-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, but Rodgers remained full of praise for his tricky playmaking midfielder.

Maddison has right attitude for England – Leicester boss Rodgers

Recently called up to Gareth Southgate's England first-team squad, Maddison has been earning rave reviews from all over the country.

In fact, Saturday's conquerors United were credited with an interest in signing him over the summer.

Now Rodgers - who watched as Hoops boss while Maddison was performing for Derek McInnes at Dons - has compared the player to a former protege in Coutinho.

Rodgers said: "He’s got big potential. I think he’s going to improve in his game, the management of his game, but he’s a big talent and we’re just trying to prepare him in order for him to play at the highest level for as long as he can. 

Maddison sees no entitlement in England youngsters

"He has to be consistent, [but he's] a really humble boy, has a lovely swagger, a lovely arrogance, and he is a good kid who will get better. He loves his football.

“He’s the type of player who will drift from position to position.

"I remember working with Coutinho at Liverpool, sometimes he’d play inside, sometimes he’d drift off the side. James is a little bit like that in terms of positioning. He will continue to work.

"His job was to create and score goals, he’ll keep working on that."