BRENDAN RODGERS last night insisted being Celtic manager was his dream job and returning to English football is not even on his radar.

The Parkhead boss was replying to remarks made by former Celtic player Craig Bellamy who claimed the Northern Irishman would struggle to land a top Premier League club because nobody down south cared about Scottish football.

Rodgers appeared bemused by the Welshman's comments, simply because he is at the club he loves and has no intention of looking to move on any time soon.

Read more: Brendan Rodgers: Ignore the naysayers, Celtic v Rangers is footballing box office​

Rodgers said: "To be honest, I am not here to win titles, not for my own CV and not get a job in England.

"I am here to do a job at Celtic.

"The thing is I love life in Scotland, first and foremost, I love the city. It has been great for me for the last 15 months or so, of course the football has gone well and that is why were are here, we are here to win. I love that aspect of it and that is my only concern.

"I am not here to boost a CV - I am here because of Celtic. 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.

Read more: Davie Hay: Win for Celtic would all but put the nail in the coffin of Rangers' title hopes

"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."

Rodgers, who signed a long-term deal in May, reiterated his desire to remain at Celtic Park for as long as he could after a decade of moving about.

He said: "I am not in a rush anymore, 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.

"So 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.

Read more: Paul Elliott: Celtic can't afford to be complacent against old foes Rangers​

"My life has always been about developing players - if we can win trophies along the way then great.

"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."

Rodgers confirmed that Jozo Simunovic, who missed Wednesday's match at Dundee, had come through a training session and would be available for tomorrow's trip to Ibrox.