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Rodgers: Celtic would be top four/six in England

Rodgers believes Celtic would challenge for a Champions League spot in the Premier League. Credit: PA

English clubs' wariness over the potential of Celtic makes a move south unlikely, according to boss Brendan Rodgers.

The English Football League recently ruled out the prospect of clubs outside its borders joining an extended structure as they seek eight new members to form four divisions of 20.

Following the dramatic 3-3 Champions League draw with Premier League leaders Manchester City at Parkhead on Wednesday night, the Northern Irishman claimed the Glasgow club were "a major threat to nearly every English club playing in England".

Rodgers, who managed Watford, Reading, Swansea and Liverpool before his move to Glasgow in the summer, said:

Make no bones about it. If Celtic are in England, Celtic are one of the top four/six clubs there. So can you imagine then the resources playing at that level, what that would produce for Celtic. It could go as far as it wants then.

For Celtic to be in the English pyramid system is very tough because of the size of the club. We have the history, huge club, fan base, team, stadium, it would be a frightening prospect and an exciting prospect if it ever happened but for others looking through it would be very difficult to accept.

If you are another club playing in that (Premier) league or the Championship or League One, would you like that type of threat coming in to possibly stop you coming into the league? I don't think you would want it and that is the reality. So I think it is always going to be difficult to get that across.

– Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers