Brendan Rodgers WON’T block Celtic lieutenant Harry Kewell management return chance as he confirms Japan interest

Brendan Rodgers confirmed there IS interest from Japan in his coach Harry Kewell and says he won't stand in the Aussie's way.

But the Celtic boss says he doesn't know how "far down the road" it is...and that he'll continue in his role at Parkhead until he hears otherwise. Reports in Japan suggested Kewell, who was brought to Celtic in the summer of 2022 by Ange Postecoglou, is in the frame to replace Kevin Muscat at Yokohama F. Marinos. Kewell hasn't been a head coach in his own right since leaving Barnet - and has also had spells in charge of Crawley, Oldham and Notts County - but could get the chance in Japan with Marinos keen on the man who worked with club legend Postecoglou in Glasgow.

Rodgers admits he doesn't know how close any potential move is but says he's not surprised the 45-year-old is attracting interest. He says he's spoken with him about his future as he told Sky Sports: "I spoke to Harry about it after the game the other night and I am not sure how far down the road it is. He is still very much working here but there is a level of interest in him which does not surprise me because he is a talented guy.

"We will see what evolves from that over the next few days. He has already managed before, so it is not new to him. He has had a taste of it and I am always one that if staff members want to broaden their horizons then I am very encouraging of that. It is also a sign that you have talented people if other clubs want them."