Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers plays down interest in Chelsea forward Dominic Solanke

Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic are well on course to break the all time points record in the Scottish Premiership this season.

The Bhoys sealed the title with eight games to go back at the start of April, and are now focusing their efforts on breaking the record set by Martin O’Neill’s Celtic side back in 2002, when they finished the campaign with 103 points from their 38 games.

Rodgers’ side need seven points from their final three games to beat that record, yet the former Liverpool and Swansea boss will surely have on eye on next season as they look to compete on the European stage once more.

And one man they’ve been linked with in a bid to do just that is Chelsea outcast Dominic Solanke, who appears to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge this summer after failing to agree a new deal with the Premier League champions-elect.

And The Daily Express believe that Rodgers is interested in the 19-year-old, who has only ever played once for Chelsea, although the Celtic boss played down any speculation linking him with a move for the England Under-21 international.

When asked about Solanke, he told The Daily Express: ‘Nothing much other than I know Dominic well.

‘I took Dominic into Chelsea when he was eight years of age. I am delighted for him and the career he has had up until now as a young player, he is a fantastic talent.

‘But no more than that. I only speak on him because I know the player back then. So I can see where there is a connection with him and I, but nothing more than that.’

Solanke has been at Chelsea since 2004 and progressed through the youth ranks at the club, helping the Under-18s to victories in the 2014 and 2015 FA Youth Cup, yet hasn’t been able to work his way into the first team set-up.

Ultimately, it seems clear that his future is away from Stamford Bridge, but where he’ll end up come the start of next season remains to be seen.