Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers rubbishes rumours of Bastian Schweinsteiger move

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed speculation linking the club with a move for Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger after claiming he needs new players who can run. The Germany international is braced for a season out of the Old Trafford first team after being marginalised by Jose Mourinho – leading to rumours over his future.

Schweinsteiger moved to the Premier League giants in the summer of 2015, however an injury-ravaged first season saw him fail to impress under Louis van Gaal. The 32-year-old has not featured in any squad selected by Mourinho since his appointment having been asked to train away from the first team at the club's Carrington training ground.

Sport 1 claim however that Schweinsteiger will remain at United this season, though Mourinho has no immediate plan to reverse his decision to banish the World Cup winner to the sidelines. Fan-run Twitter account Celtic Underground reported earlier in August that Schweinsteiger could be a target for the Bhoys if the club qualify for the Champions League.

But despite Celtic being on the verge of reaching the group stage after beating Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the first leg of their play-off qualifier, Rodgers says there is no prospect of the United man moving north of the border. The Northern Irish coach is keen on making at least one new signing to bolster his squad but has played down the need for the player to be high-profile.

"It doesn't have to be a marquee signing, "he said, according to the Glasgow Evening Times. "I think we have brought in some really top talents who have come in and excited the supporters. He added, when asked directly about signing Schweinsteiger from United: "I can get you a marquee signing but they've got to be able to press and they've got to be able to run.

"For me it's never been about the name. But of course if the name is big and he can play, then great, but for me it's about having the right profile of player who can come in. No matter the age they have to be hungry in every single game and every training session and that's what I always look for."

"The market explodes doesn't it, the whole thing explodes when you make the Champions League," the former Liverpool boss explained "But we have to get there first. That's our message. We've put ourselves in a brilliant position if you look across Europe at the scores in the Champions League or the Europa League and we are in a great position. But we are focused. If we can get through there will be a bit of work to do between then and when the market shuts."