Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says he is unsure where speculation over a move for Steven Gerrard came from but remained coy on any potential deal.
Gerrard is still considering his next career move after confirming he will leave LA Galaxy next month, and the 36-year-old's previous working relationship with Rodgers, and his apparent desire not to play against former club Liverpool, has led to speculation he could end up in Glasgow.
Former Liverpool boss Rodgers indicated after taking charge of Celtic in May that he would be keen on a reunion, but he refused to discuss his potential interest on Wednesday.
"I never speculate or speak about players coming into the club," he said. "I never have done and don't intend to start now - that will always remain private.
"The only thing I would say with regards to Steven, he has been an incredible player. I had him for a number of years at Liverpool and he was absolutely brilliant with me.
"As a young manager going into such a great club, having the captain and real senior player there, to be able to work closely together with him and learn about the club and work together on the field was fantastic.
"He decided to go to America and I'm sure he has had a good spell there. Steven will sit down now and come back and decide what he wants to do.
"In terms of the speculation, I'm not sure where it's come from. But players coming into the club will always remain private."
When pressed over whether there was anything concrete behind the bookmakers' odds -- Gerrard is evens with some firms to end up at Celtic Park -- Rodgers refused to give anything away.
The Celtic boss, who has been reunited with Scott Sinclair, Dorus de Vries and Kolo Toure since arriving in Glasgow, said: "I wouldn't tell you if there was anyway, but I suppose it's that time of the year now -- we are getting towards the January window and Stevie's time is finished out there at Galaxy -- so I'm sure there is speculation over where he might go.
"And of course there's a natural look at Celtic because of the size of the club, and it's a club he admired, and also I have some of my former players here working with me, but we always keep our business behind closed doors."
Sinclair said this week that a deal for Gerrard would be "massive," while former Celtic player Andy Lynch has said he is confident the midfielder will make the move and that the former England captain is a lifelong follower of the Scottish champions.
Information from the Press Association was used in this report.