Coyle rubbishes Celtic link

Burnley manager Owen Coyle insists he has no intention of quitting the newly promoted Premier League club to succeed Gordon Strachan as Celtic manager.

Coyle is reported to be top of Celtic’s wanted list following Strachan’s decision to quit Parkhead on Monday.

Coyle, a Scottish-born former Republic of Ireland international, was a boyhood Celtic supporter and admits he is flattered by the approach.

But he has his heart set on leading Burnley in the club’s first top-flight campaign since 1976 following their Championship play-off final victory over Sheffield United.

Coyle told Sky Sports News: “It is people putting two and two together and getting five.

“I’m very much focused on what we are going to hope to do in the Premier League.

“It is an exciting challenge and one I am looking forward to. I think the fans know the rapport I have with this football club.

“We think we have an exciting prospect and challenge ahead of us and we want that to continue.

“I’m as focused today as I was the first day I came into this job. I wanted to build this club and take it forward.

“What an exciting prospect to pit your wits against the best managers in world football with the best players and best teams – it’s the best league in the world.”

Coyle admits fans might be worried that he could leave because of his Celtic roots but he claims he has not even been approached.

“Obviously they can see the attraction Celtic would hold to someone like myself, growing up as a Celtic supporter – but it’s all hypothetical,” he said.

“I’m flattered because it’s Celtic you are talking about, given the size of the club, but that’s all it was, speculation.

“There was never any approach so I am not going to get into the realms of talking about stuff that doesn’t exist.

“There was no approach, so there wasn’t anything to talk about and equally I am still committed to Burnley Football Club.”