Brendan Rodgers has backed Oliver Burke to shine in elite company tonight as Celtic take on Valencia in the Europa League.

The Parkhead side host the Spaniards in the opening leg of the last 32 tie, with Burke finding his form since he arrived at Celtic last month on loan.

The Scotland internationalist has netted three goals in six starts since being deployed as striker by Rodgers and the Celtic manager believes the player has the physicality and speed to play and compete against Europe’s best – if he keeps his head down and keep developing.

“This is a boy, who if you observe him and look at him and judge him on that, has all the talent for the very highest level,” said Rodgers.

“Then it’s about digging in and shining the torch below all that ability and see where he needs to work.

“For me he needed the work to identify a position – or a couple of positions – where he could play really well. Then it’s about coaching him and teaching him by constantly reinforcing the strengths of that.

“He’s a big talent but what’s important, and I said this to him, is the humility that goes with that. He’s getting headlines now he hasn’t had for a period of time with everybody looking at him now and thinking ‘right, this is a talent who has maybe got the engine up and running again.’

“But he needs to stay humble, he needs to work.

“But there is so much scope with him as a player it’s frightening.”

Rodgers has applauded Burke’s willingness to study the forward position in order to develop, insisting that any modern player who isn’t capable of doing so will be left behind.

But the very basic element which underpins Burke’s game is his pace, something that Rodgers has maintained can “frighten the life” out of defenders.

“Some players aren’t learners and they will struggle,” said Rodgers.

“The one thing I found with him is that when I spoke to him on the phone I felt there was a hunger to improve.

“He’d been on the sidelines for a while and I loved his strengths.

“If you focus on his strengths and polish up other aspects and give him clarity then you can help him and for me he’s been a joy to work with.

“I’ve shown him examples of what we want him to do and make it clear for him. He has to press the game and no-one does it better – he frightens the life out of defenders.

“Not only defending forward he can defend on the way back and like I say he has big, big qualities. It’s repetition and to help him.

“If I need to start him I have no hesitation. He’s played international football.”

Odsonne Edouard is fit for the game, as is Jozo Simunovic and Emilio Izaguirre. Kieran Tierney will not make the game after not featuring since early December.