Burnley manager Owen Coyle appears to have ruled himself out of the running to succeed Gordon Strachan as Celtic manager. The former Republic of Ireland striker Coyle has been strongly linked with the vacancy at Parkhead after guiding the Clarets to promotion to the Barclays Premier League

Coyle was a boyhood Celtic supporter but he insists he is concentrating solely on Burnley. “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,” he said.

“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 past affinity for Celtic but he claims there is no substance to the reports and he has not even been approached.

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

“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.”

Former Airdrie and Bolton striker Coyle has made a huge impression at Turf Moor since leaving St Johnstone to take charge in November 2007. He is now already planning for next season and looking at ways to strengthen his squad.

“I had a meeting with the chairman yesterday and we are planning for the Premier League and we will continue that,” he said.

“Those players deserve a crack, and they’ll get it, but we do need to bolster the ranks.”