£8M KNOCK-BACK
Rodgers turned down lucrative bid from China
BRENDAN RODGERS insists he remains committed to Celtic despite a multi-million pound summer offer from China.
The Parkhead boss, who saw Leigh griffiths’ late goal defeat st Johnstone in the Betfred Cup last night, was offered a staggering £8million up front to head to the Chinese super League — and could have multiplied his current £2.4m-a-year salary.
A candidate to replace Alberto Zaccheroni at Beijing guoan before accepting the Celtic job in May 2016, Rodgers claims he has had other offers
during a highly successful spell in Glasgow. Confirming a formal approach from the Far East at the end of last season, Sportsmail understands he met major shareholder Dermot Desmond and chief executive Peter Lawwell for talks earlier this week. Reiterating his desire to remain at the club after securing a place in the semi-finals of the Betfred Cup, however, Rodgers said: ‘Since I’ve been at Celtic the last couple of years I’ve had a few offers, so that’s no different to any of the others. ‘My focus is very much on Celtic and being here. And trying to help us rise to the challenge of this season. There’s nothing more really to say on that.’
Sportsmail understands the unnamed Chinese club were offered little encouragement by the Parkhead board. Asked if he took the bid seriously, Rodgers added: ‘What you know with China is that it’s an awful lot of money. ‘But I’ve found happiness here and I spoke with the owners of the club and the board and we found an agreement and we move on. ‘I’ve had other opportunities, but I’ve still got this year and another two years on my contract and unless they get fed up with me or something else happens, I’m very privileged to be here.’ Griffiths’ strike secured a semi-final clash with Hearts next month, the champions reduced to ten men after Dedryck Boyata’s late disssent towards referee John Beaton. ‘Leigh could have had a hat-trick, but what is important is that he is smelling the goals again,’ said Rodgers. On Boyata’s late red, he added: ‘It is a stupid red card. Dedryck has got enough opportunities to not get sent off.’