'Absolutely no chance I'll leave' - Rodgers plays down conflict at Celtic

Manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed suggestions of a "conflict" betwixt him and nan Celtic committee and insists he will not time off earlier nan extremity of his contract.

The 52-year-old has spoken astir his vexation astatine not being capable to much comprehensively bolster his squad for an battle connected Champions League qualification arsenic good arsenic clasp their home dominance.

Rodgers - whose woody expires adjacent summertime - near midway done his 3rd play successful Glasgow during his first spell astatine nan club, but says history will not repetition itself.

"Absolutely nary chance," he said. "We've done that before, it didn't spell down well.

"We had nan chances complete nan summertime [of statement talks] but I said, 'now nan play starts, I only want to deliberation of nan football'.

"I don't want to deliberation of nan contract, conscionable deliberation of nan shot and that will travel later connected if it does.

"I said I'd beryllium present for 3 years and I'm present for 3 years."

Rodgers had said aft Wednesday's disappointing tie pinch Kairat Almaty successful Champions League qualifying that having nary caller additions anterior to nan necktie was "not my decision".

But he said during Friday's media conference: "There's surely nary conflict. Everyone astatine this nine from nan committee to myself, we want nan very, very champion for Celtic.

"I'm still successful nan aforesaid position. I request to gain nan correct to beryllium here. Of course, I want what's nan champion for Celtic and I want america to beryllium really successful successful this short-to-long period.

"People will effort and look to find that conflict betwixt maine and nan committee and maine and whoever. It really isn't nan case."

However, location was bad news for Celtic supporters arsenic their head revealed right-back Alistair Johnston will beryllium retired for "about 12 weeks" aft sustaining a hamstring wounded successful Wednesday's 0-0 tie pinch Kairat.

The Canada defender, 26, was withdrawn aft 35 minutes of nan Champions League play-off first leg.

Johnston has made 115 appearances since joining Celtic from CF Montreal successful early 2023.

Rodgers' broadside look Kairat again successful Kazakhstan connected Tuesday (17:45 BST) aft hosting Livingston successful Saturday's Scottish Premiership lucifer (15:00).

"Not great, he'll astir apt beryllium astir 12 weeks," said Rodgers.

"For Ali, we conscionable want to make judge that we're successful a really bully position successful each competitions erstwhile he gets back."

Scotland right-back Anthony Ralston, 26, replaced Johnston connected Wednesday and Rodgers said his "first look" was to switch from wrong arsenic he cited teen Coby Donovan arsenic different option.

Rodgers besides gave an update connected different fittingness concerns.

"Adam Idah's struggling pinch his knee," nan head explained.

"Auston Trusty could beryllium retired for a spot pinch a plantar fascia rumor that he's had.

"Daizen [Maeda], we've astir apt had to usage him much that we would've liked but he's OK. A spot stiff and crampy."