Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers shrugs off links to Steven Gerrard

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Chief Executive Peter Lawwell at the club's AGM (SNS Group / Craig Williamson)

CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers is unsure where speculation over a potential move for Steven Gerrard has come from.

Rodgers remained unwilling to discuss future transfer activity but it is believed there is no substance behind Celtic being installed as favourites with bookmakers for Gerrard’s next club after his departure from Los Angeles Galaxy was confirmed on Tuesday.

Gerrard is still considering his next career move and the 36-year-old’s previous working relationship with Rodgers, and his apparent desire not to play against former club Liverpool, has led to speculation he could end up in Glasgow.

Former Anfield boss Rodgers said: “I never speculate or speak about players coming into the club. I never have done and don’t intend to start now – that will always remain private.

“The only thing I would say with regards to Steven, he has been an incredible player. I had him for a number of years at Liverpool and he was absolutely brilliant with me.

Rodgers with Gerrard at Liverpool (Adam Davy/PA Wire)

“As a young manager going into such a great club, having the captain and real senior player there, to be able to work closely together with him and learn about the club and work together on the field was fantastic.

“He decided to go to America and I’m sure he has had a good spell there. Steven will sit down now and come back and decide what he wants to do.

“In terms of the speculation, I’m not sure where it’s come from. But players coming into the club will always remain private.”

When pressed over whether there was anything concrete behind the bookmakers’odds – Gerrard is evens with some firms to end up at Celtic Park – Rodgers refused to give anything away.

The Celtic boss, who has been reunited with Scott Sinclair, Dorus de Vries and Kolo Toure since arriving in Glasgow, said: “I wouldn’t tell you if there was anyway, but I suppose it’s that time of

the year now, we are getting towards the January window and Stevie’s time is finished out there at Galaxy so I’m sure there is speculation over where he might go.

“And of course there’s a natural look at Celtic because of the size of the club, and it’s a club he admired, and also I have some of my former players here working with me. But we always keep our business behind closed doors.”