Rodgers happy to silence Bellamy

BRENDAN RODGERS has hit back at Craig Bellamy’s suggestion that Scottish football may prove a barrier to him landing another top English job — by insisting he didn’t come to Celtic to better his CV.

The Welsh striker, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Parkhead in 2005, claimed on Wednesday that the Northern Irishman’s next career options may be limited due to the way success north of the border is perceived by chairmen of Premier League clubs.

Recalling the limited possibilities he had after leaving Celtic 12 years ago, Bellamy said: ‘His reputation of a great coach is there, but getting one of the top jobs again in the Premier League might be a bit difficult for him.

‘Mainly because, and I found this out during my time in Scotland, it doesn’t matter what you do up there — no one cares.’

But the man who took Celtic’s unbeaten domestic run to 56 games with victory at Dens Park this week says he is unconcerned by such predictions — with the amassing of silverware during his time in Glasgow his sole concern.

‘I’m not here to boost a CV — I

am here because of Celtic,’ stated Rodgers. ‘It is a club I love. ‘I have really loved the life here. I love being here, I love the challenge of trying to develop the football club to a standard or a level that, hopefully, we can sustain and dedicate that excellence to. ‘I have enough challenges and worries here to look forward to that are really exciting. Whether that initiates a job elsewhere, I am not even worried about that. ‘I respect Craig, he is very passionate about his life, very passionate about his football. Seeing some of the comments, I am not sure it is meant in that way but if it is, then okay. ‘I am not here to worry about my next job, my only worry is Celtic and that is what I am paid to do.’ Earlier this year, Rodgers underscored his commitment to Celtic by penning a new four-year deal to take him through to 2021. Accordingly, for the foreseeable future, he feels he’ll be untroubled by where his next job in management is coming from. ‘I am not in a rush anymore,’ he stressed. ‘This is my fifth job and I started my career in management in my mid-30s and now I am 44. So in less than ten years in management I have had five jobs. ‘I was in a rush probably the first few years, trying to get to the top, trying to get to Liverpool and blah blah blah, but I don’t really sense that anymore. ‘My life has always been about developing players — if we can win trophies along the way, then great.’ The Celtic manager yesterday confirmed that both Jozo Simunovic and Moussa Dembele will be fit to face Rangers at Ibrox tomorrow. The Croat’s swollen knee saw him omitted from the squad which beat Dundee in the midweek Betfred Cup clash, with the French striker also left out to aid his recovery from a hamstring injury. But Rodgers confirmed: ‘Jozo’s fine. He had a good, hard session this morning. He’s all good and ready for Saturday. ‘Moussa’s ready, too. He’s in a good place now, having worked hard over the course of the week. He had a lighter session today and will train with the squad again tomorrow and will be available for Saturday.’