BRENDAN Rodgers has strongly hinted that Kris Commons won’t feature again for Celtic on his watch. The 33 year-old has not made a first-team appearance since April and wasn’t included in the 24-man Champions League squad named by Rodgers at the start of September. Rodgers spoke warmly about Commons’ professionalism in training but did not give the impression that the forward – voted player of the year two seasons ago – is likely to make a return to the first team any time soon.

“I spoke to Kris in the first week I was here,” said Rodgers. “He knew clearly what my plan was for the team going forward. He's a good guy, I like him. But it's been tough. I've brought in players who play in a slightly different way to how he's played before. There's no doubting his qualities and what he's shown over two, three, or four years. But it's a different team playing in a different way.

“I said to all the players in the summer - to every player where there was maybe a doubt that they were going to play - about [moving on]. But it's hard to leave a club like Celtic, especially if you're enjoying training and enjoying the work, and enjoying how everything's going.

“Everyone here in the squad is very clear, they've known where they stand since the first week I was in here. All I've ever said is “if you're not playing or you're not in the plans, just respect the work” and I've never had an issue with any of them, not one. They know they're improving to be the best they can be and if it's not going to be here, they're getting a level of work that'll help them get games if and when they leave here.”