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BRENDAN Rodgers last night laughed off England links and insisted he’d never walk away from his dream job at Celtic .

The Hoops boss is among the favourites for the Three Lions gig following Roy Hodgson’s departure with bookies installing him as a 10/1 shot.

Rodgers held informal talks with the FA in the past over the position but insisted there is no way he’d turn his back on Celtic after just 42 days in charge - and without a ball being kicked in anger.

The Northern Irishman said: “I haven’t put a foot wrong here! Brilliant.

“It shows you what the world of football is now, the gossip and speculation that goes on.

“I’ve just landed my dream job. The team I’ve supported all my life. I haven’t even walked out for my first game.

“Imagine me as a Celtic supporter having walked out on the job at Parkhead!

“It’s a tough job, England. They’ve got a lot of good players but there is huge pressure, huge expectancy.

“It has been like that for a few years now.

“I see Jose Mourinho has also been linked with it. He’s unbeaten too!

“I’ll be at Celtic, that’s for sure.”

(Image: SNS Group)

Rodgers admitted he has sympathy with Hodgson but insisted he had enough on his plate at Celtic as he builds for the Champions League.

He said: “Is it flattering? It’s football. There are very few professions where one minute you’re up, then down, then up again – that’s just how it goes.

“There is a great group of players there. They’ve got some wonderful talents in that England squad. But it has been difficult for them at this tournament – and it has been like that for a few tournaments.

“So it’s unfortunate how it ended for Roy because he’s a good man, a very good coach.

“They now obviously have to appoint someone and look at creating an identity, a way the team can play.

“For me, it is what it is in football. You’re up, then you’re down.

“But, if people think I can do jobs at a high level, then that’s fine.

“But I’m busy here, worrying about what I have to do here.”

Rodgers admitted his delight at making Moussa Dembele his first signing and he is plotting to land more new recruits ahead of the Champions League qualifiers in two week’s time.

Experienced Liverpool defender Kolo Toure is one option being considered with the Ivory Coast star out of contract.

The Hoops boss is also awaiting the outcome of contract talks with Charlie Mulgrew, who has remained in Scotland but admitted a deal is far from a formality.

Rodgers said: “If there is not an agreement, that will obviously just run out.

“If it happens, we’d like him to be with us sooner rather than later. But he’s out of contract and within his rights.

“There is always obviously a fear for a player when they come out of contract, if they train and get injured, they could be snookered.

(Image: PA Wire)

“So I respect that and understand that completely.

“He seems a good guy, I’ve talked to him on the phone and people I’ve talked to around the club like him.

“But obviously it’s probably the last contract of his career, so he has to make sure he’s making the right choice for him and his family.”

Rodgers has settled in to Celtic’s Slovenia base and he admitted he’s relishing his chance to get down to work witht he Hoops.

He said: “I’m been pleasantly surprised by the whole team. I’ve had one of the most enjoyable weeks I’ve had in football for a long, long time working with this group.

(Image: Daily Record)

“There’s no egos. They are straight guys who want to learn and develop. We’ll give them the structures and perameters.

“There are obviously players I was more aware of than others. Then there are ones like Kristoffer Ajer, 18-yeers-old and 6ft5ins, but athletic and can play football.

“I have been pleased by the standard and how they take on board what we give them.”

Rodgers is keeping tabs on Celtic’s potential Champions League opponents and received reports on Tallinn’s 2-1 first leg win against Lincoln Red Imps.

He said: “I think the Tallinn team were pretty comfortable, could have scored four or five in the first half – and they maybe then took the foot off the gas in the second half.

“It leaves it a bit tricky for them at 2-1. But we had people there watching them and analysing. We will be ready for whoever we have to play.”