Bren tells King: Look after your own club

deny them Champions League millions. New Gers boss Steven Gerrard said at his unveiling he was focused on the job at hand as he shrugged off questions about Celtic.

And Rodgers said: “It’s what you have to do. You look after your own house. Of course you know the different markets and what competitors are doing but we are defined and measured by ourselves, not by anyone else.

“I don’t know Mr King. I’ve never met him and would never pretend to know what goes on at Rangers. I don’t worry about what goes on over the garden fence.

“That’s the most sensible way to look at things. That’s what we have tried to do over the last few years. We get the football strategy right, knowing there is a commercial knock-on.

“There are no guarantees Celtic will get through four rounds of qualification. But there is a strategy here – one for the Champions League and one for Europa League.

“The money generated from the last few years puts the club on a wonderful footing and allows us to grow on and off the pitch and that’s my only concern.

“I’ve always said we are not defined by Rangers or anyone else. Celtic are not going to win the league every year but there is a great base here.

“I’m a football guy – the business strategy is for Peter Lawwell and Dermot Desmond to talk about. What I do know is the club is in a really healthy position from these last few seasons.”

Rodgers revealed Leigh Griffiths had been ill and in hospital last week but the hitman will return for Sunday’s visit of Aberdeen.

He said: “Leigh had tonsillitis. He went away and didn’t feel great. He came back and was admitted to hospital. But he was given the all clear, everything’s fine.”

The Hoops boss also hopes Odsonne Edouard, who injured his hamstring at Tynecastle, will be back on a permanent deal as talks with PSG continue.

He added: “Odsonne is struggling to play again this season. The boy is happy and PSG have enjoyed watching him develop here. It would be great if we could get it done.”