STEVE CLARKE has shot down continued speculation linking him with the Celtic manager’s job.
The Scotland boss became one of the favourites for the job following Neil Lennon’s departure last month.
However, boyhood Hoops fan Clarke admitted he is totally focused on the international side and emphasised his hopes of leading the team to the World Cup Finals in Qatar 2022.
The former Kilmarnock, Reading and West Brom chief, speaking to Sky Sports News, knocked back suggestions of an imminent switch to Parkhead and admitted: “I’m definitely not in talks because I am under contract to the SFA.
“I am looking forward to the games coming up in March, I am looking forward to the Euros in the summer.
“Speculation tells me my players have done well for me, my staff have done well. Nobody speculates about you if you have done a bad job.
“As I sit here now if someone told me I was going to lead Scotland out to the World Cup in 2022 in Qatar and I’ll be there as Scotland coach, then I would be delighted with that.
“Scotland is my sole focus.”
Clarke named his Scotland squad for the forthcoming international games earlier today and there is no place for Celtic duo Leigh Griffiths and David Turnbull, as CQN reported.
The Scots kick off their World Cup qualifying quest with a game against Austria at Hampden a week on Thursday.
