Scott Brown has no qualms about Brendan Rodgers being linked with vacant posts as he believes it underlines the esteem with which the Celtic manager is held.

Rodgers has been linked with the managerial post at Aston Villa following the dismissal of Steve Bruce last week, speculation which follows on the back of an unnamed Chinese club making an approach for Rodgers this summer.

The Parkhead boss revealed there have been offers for jobs elsewhere in his time at Celtic but Brown has every confidence that Rodgers remains fully committed to his post in Glasgow.

“For me he is a top-class manager,” said Brown. “No matter what happens there is always going to be someone who wants him. He has shown his love for the club over the last two-and-a-half years. Football is funny and you never know what is going to happen but he is here just now and we have to respect. What he has done for Scottish football has been exceptional. It has been good for us to work with a top quality manager and long may it continue.

“I think so. He is a big name. He was a Liverpool manager and then came to us almost right away. He loves the club as much as anyone. He will always do what is best for himself and for the club.”

Meanwhile, Brown expects to be back for Celtic’s home game against Hibs after the international break. The midfielder sat out the Europa League defeat to Salzburg and the win over St Johnstone with a hamstring strain but doesn’t anticipate spending much more time on the sidelines.

“It was just a wee niggle and one of those which I’ve done before and ended up rupturing my hamstring,” he said. “It was more precautionary than anything else.

“Had I gone out and played I could have made it worse and ended up out for 10/12 weeks instead of a fortnight.”