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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Macdonald

'There is interest' - Rodgers will not stand in way of Kewell Japan switch

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed there is interest from Yokohama F. Marinos in Harry Kewell.

Reports in Japan have suggested the J1 League side are keen on landing the Australian as their next boss after Kevin Muscat recently departed the role.

And while Rodgers acknowledged the interest, he confirmed that Kewell is still very much part of the Parkhead side's plans at the moment.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "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."

Rodgers also insists Celtic "might have to" do some work in the January transfer window to sign a forward if certain players are called up to play in the Asian Cup.

Kyogo Furuhashi, Oh Hyeon-gyu, Daizen Maeda and Yang Hyun-jun have all had recent caps for their countries and could play in the January tournament.

This would leave the Scottish champions without a recognised striker after the winter break but Rodgers says the club are prepared for all eventualities. 

He said: "Obviously we have been trying to anticipate the guys over the last few months who are going away to the Asian Cup so clearly if Daizen [Maeda] and Kyogo [Furuhashi] are away then we would have to do something in the market."

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