BRENDAN RODGERS, the Celtic manager, has laughed off the suggestion that he could leave Parkhead before his team have even played a game to become the new England head coach.
In the wake of England’s shock European Championship exit to Iceland on Monday night, short odds on Rodgers succeeding Roy Hodgson were released within minutes by bookmakers.
Punters can still get a price of 16/1 on the Northern Irishman - a potential candidate along with Gareth Southgate, Alan Pardew and Eddie Howe - who is currently in Slovenia as his Celtic team prepare for their first pre-season friendly tonight against NK Celje.
Read more: Dembele: I can become the best striker in the world at Celtic
But speaking at their Maribor base, Rodgers was keen to dismiss any speculation, insisting that after landing his ‘dream job’ with the Ladbrokes Premiership champions, that he is not going anywhere.
“I know. I haven’t put a foot wrong here! Brilliant,” he joked. “It shows you what the world of football is now, the gossip and speculation that goes on.
“I’ve just landed my dream job. The team I’ve supported all my life. I haven’t even walked out for my first game. Imagine me as a Celtic supporter having walked out on the job at Parkhead!
Read more: Rangers and Celtic's opening Premiership fixtures moved for live television coverage
“It’s a tough job, England. They’ve got a lot of good players but there is huge pressure, huge expectancy. It has been like that for a few years now.
“Yeah, I see Jose Mourinho has also been linked with it. He’s unbeaten too …
“I’ll be at Celtic, that’s for sure.”
“‘Is it flattering? It’s football. It’s football. There are very few professions where one minute you’re up, then down, then up again – that’s just how it goes.”
Rodgers acknowledges the difficult job that awaits the man that does find himself burdened with the weight of expectation from a disenchanted England support.
“There is a great group of players there,” he said. “They’ve got some wonderful talents in that England squad. But it’s been difficult for them at this tournament – and it’s been like that for a few tournaments.
“So it’s unfortunate how it ended for Roy, because he’s a good man, a very good coach. They now obviously have to appoint someone and look at creating an identity, a way the team can play.
“For me, it is what it is in football. You’re up, then you’re down. But, if people think I can do jobs at a high level, then that’s fine.
“But I’m busy here, worrying about what I have to do here.”
As Rodgers got down to work on his second day of training in Maribor, his first signing was making his own mark back home in Glasgow. Moussa Dembele was speaking to the media at Parkhead where he was outlining his ambition to become the best striker in the world, comments that didn't escape his manager's attention.
It was a bold claim from the 19-year-old who has been pondering a move to Glasgow for several months now. It is clear he has potential to develop, and Rodgers is looking forward to seeing how his journey continues along the Celtic Way.
“That’s a good start, isn’t it,” smiled Rodgers at his new player’s claim. “Listen, he’s coming from a background where he can genuinely say that. He’s came through at PSG and played at every level for France.
“He’s scored goals in a really competitive league. He can now continue that journey here. He’s not saying he’s going to be the best in the world next season.
“But if he takes the development path some have taken and he’s at that level in his mid-twenties, then great. You want to have players with that self-belief. You don’t want misplaced self-belief, but you need that confidence and if you have a will to work along with that, then anything is possible.”
While Rangers have recruited heavily ahead of this season’s Premiership campaign, Dembele represents the only fresh recruit to walk through the Lennoxtown front door.
It says a lot about what Rodgers makes of the players that travelled to Slovenia with him on Monday night. The Celtic manager spoke in positive and honest tones about the group who in two weeks will launch their Champions League qualification campaign, and insists that while there may be more arrivals, he has declared himself pleasantly surprised by what he has seen of his current players so far.
“We’ve got some kids here who have impressed me, like young [Ryan] Christie. He’s a good mover and looks like he can score goals,” said Rodgers. “When he gets a bit stronger he can do very well.
“I’m been pleasantly surprised by the whole team. I’ve had one of the most enjoyable weeks I’ve had in football for a long, long time working with this group. There’s no egos. They are straight guys who want to learn and develop. We’ll give them the structures and perimeters.
“There are obviously players I was more aware of than others. Then there are ones like Christian Ajer, 18-years-old and 6ft5ins, but athletic and can play football.
“I have been pleased by the standard and how they take on board what we give them.”
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