Brendan Rodgers has insisted that any prospective deal for Patrick Roberts could still be a bit away - as he insisted that any talks between the two parties must remain private.

Reports circulating on social media this week suggested that a return to Glasgow for the winger was imminent, rumours that Rodgers acknowledged while underlining that any deal for Roberts could be in the final weeks of the transfer window.

The 20-year-old is believed to have intimated that Celtic is his preferred destination to Manchester City, but Rodgers has appeared to suggest that a deal for the player is not quite so cut and dried as that.

Read more: Derek Rae: Celtic must go all out to get Patrick Roberts for Astana test

“As we sit here now, there is nothing to add to what has been said over the last couple of days,” said the Celtic manager. “Pat is a Manchester City player, he spent his pre-season there and if there are any developments to come out of City then we would be hugely interested in him.

“I have heard all the rumours, gossip and speculation about him but right now he is a Manchester City player and a fantastic player.

“Most of his pre-season has been there, he’s done well and, again, like our young players it’s about where the development is best suited. He is clearly a big talent and between now and the end of the market Patrick and Manchester City will decide where it is he can go, and the players will have big say in where is best for his development this coming season.

“He’s a big talent and, of course, if he is available and we can have him then we’d love to take him."

Asked if there had been discussions this week, Rodgers would only say: "that’s private if there is."

Meanwhile, Rodgers has also admitted that Kieran Tierney is a captain-in-waiting at Celtic.

Tierney deputised for the suspended Scott Brown last night to become the youngest skipper of the club but Rodgers fully expects that it is an accolade that will eventually be bestowed on Tierney full-time.

Read more: Derek Rae: Celtic must go all out to get Patrick Roberts for Astana test

“He’s made for it, there’s no doubt about that,” said Rodgers. “We’ve got some real senior guys at the club I could give anyone the captain’s armband; Craig Gordon or Mikael Lustig, but if you’re talking for the future once Brown’s time is up which won’t be for a few years yet, then he’s made for it.

“He’s of that ilk. Kieran doesn’t waste his time doing stupid things, he’s concentrated on his football, he lives his life to be a player, he’s not drinking, he trains like an animal every day and wherever you ask him to play he plays it to a high level, tactically he’s improving all the time and he’s an absolute joy to work with.

“He would fit the mould of a captain, he’s certainly got the credentials. You have to be careful what age you give it to them but there’s no doubt he’s on that journey to one day lead the club for sure.

“Kieran knows it’s a privileged position and so I’m delighted for him. He plays with a smile, he comes into work every day and is a great, great boy. Scotland has a huge talent there.”