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Football

21st Apr 2018

Brendan Rodgers weighs in on rumours linking him to Arsenal

Jack O'Toole

Brendan Rodgers

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has tried to distance himself from speculation linking him to a managerial role with Arsenal next season.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed on Friday that he would be stepping down from his role at the end of the season after 22 years in charge at the club.

Luis Enrique, Carlo Ancelotti, Thomas Tuchel and Rodgers have all been linked with a move to the Emirates in the summer but as far as Rodgers is concerned he’s quite content with his role at Celtic and his life in Glasgow.

 “There’s nothing really in it. I have always said I’m extremely happy here,” the former Liverpool manager told BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound programme

“I have three years left on my contract. I am loving every minute of being at Celtic from a professional perspective but also my life up here.

“I have a number of years left as a manager. I am 45, I probably look a lot older but, 45, and I’m enjoying my position here. It’s a huge privilege for me to manage Celtic. It’s a huge club with pressure and that’s all I concentrate on.

“Arsenal is a fantastic club, very much similar to Celtic in terms of the traditions and values it has as a club, you can’t deny that.

“It’s a fantastic club but, for me, my only focus is on Celtic and doing the very best I can for them.”

Ancelotti was more open to the possibility of managing the Gunners next season and hailed Wenger’s decision to resign as great.

“It’s a great decision, but I think it’s the decision Mr Wenger [made] with a lot of respect for the club and also I think the club have shown a lot of respect.

“That is right – Wenger did a fantastic job, and is doing a fantastic job with Arsenal because he is in the semi-final of the Europa League. Great respect and great honour to Arsene.”

Commenting on reports linking with him the Arsenal manager: “I can say I would like to work again, but that depends on me. If I find the right possibility, the right project I would be delighted to continue.”