MY BHOYS ARE NOT EYEING EXIT – BREN

Rodgers insists KT & Scott are focused despite gossip

BRENDAN RODGERS has insisted neither Kieran Tierney nor Scott Sinclair have had their heads turned by transfer talk this week. And the Hoops boss has also insisted that he has no issue with other teams eyeing up his players as it proves they are doing something right.

Celtic full-back Kieran Tierney was linked with a move to Manchester United this summer while there were also suggestions of Premier League interest in Scott Sinclair.

Rodgers has maintained that neither player’s focus will waver as Celtic close in on the season’s finale.

“I always expect and anticipate that good players will always be looked at,” he said.

“For all players, it’s notice that people think you are working well and could do a job.

“Celtic is a huge club in its own right. Of course Man United is a huge club

also. There’s lots of speculation around players but we try to keep them focused. Their job is here at Celtic. Celtic put the money in the bank each month so focus on here and if there’s speculation around you it’s because you are playing well.

“There will always be that when you have young players or senior players developing and playing well.

“There’s always going to be speculation around them. Sometimes as well, people are positioning their players in relation to the possibilities of them in the summer.

“There’s no doubt the climate changes this summer as well with different rules around the Premier League down south.

“So I’m sure it will be a busy summer. But we’ve got a lot of value in our squad.”

Brighton and Bournemouth were both linked with a summer move for Sinclair, with suggestions being that the player has been unsettled of late.

Rodgers, however, has insisted that Sinclair has benefitted from a break and is now ready to hone in on Celtic’s quest for silverware.

“I saw some stuff over the international break,” said Rodgers.

“People have to fill pages and write headlines. Scott is very happy here. Of course he hasn’t played in the last few games because we changed the tactical ideas of the team.

“But this is a period of the season now that he loves. He is a really competitive player and he turns it on in the big games. He is still very important to what we do. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is interest in him.

“He has scored more than 40 goals since he has been here over the two seasons and if you can do that as well as create all the assists that he does then he is always going to create an interest.”