Michael O'Neill says it's "highly unlikely" James McClean will join Celtic during the transfer window.
The Stoke City boss labelled the speculation as mere "rumour" and insists he wants to keep the Republic of Ireland winger at the bet365 stadium.
It isn't the first time boyhood Celtic fan McClean has been linked with a move to the Scottish champions, and O'Neill admitted the rules around Financial Fair Play mean every player's situation would be looked at if the right bid came in.
Reflecting on the speculation, O'Neill told Stoke-on-Trent Live : "I think that’s probably just a rumour that’s been created by someone - and it certainly hasn’t come from our end. James isn’t a player, equally, that we are looking to lose at this minute in time.
"The nature of the transfer window is such that you have to be flexible and if any situation arises with any player you have to give it consideration, particularly where we are at this minute in time.
"We have to obviously deal with the rules of Financial Fair Play and deal with a squad which is bloated.
"James is no different from any other player in the squad and if the situation arose we’d have to consider it but at this minute in time, I think that would be highly unlikely."
