Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni says that a top-level person at Glasgow Celtic was in touch with him a few months back to offer him the vacant manager position after Tony Mowbray was sacked.

"It was not the Celtic chairman, but someone close to him, close to the club, a former player, who approached me three to four months ago and asked would I be interested in a position.

"But I say no, I am with Ireland. I also had two or three teams ask me in Italy, and two English teams. I told them all the same answer, that I am with Ireland," said Trapattoni.

The 71-year-old has been much sought after in recent months with Celtic joining Juventus and Inter Milan in trying to secure his services.

It is believed the Celtic wanted to install Trapattoni to help interim manager Neil Lennon, who despite a terrible start when his team lost to Ross County in the Scottish Cup semi final, won every league game he was in charge of the team for.

Lennon, a former Northern Ireland international and and Celtic captain, is still very much in the running for the manager position at Celtic.