PAUL Lambert admits he wants to get straight back into football once he leaves his position as Blackburn Rovers manager at the end of the season.

But Lambert has played down speculation linking him with a return to Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic.

During his playing days the former Scotland international won nine domestic honours with Celtic who will be looking for a new manager in the summer once Ronny Deila departs.

But Lambert, who is among the bookies’ favourite to take over the Glasgow outfit, said: “The only connection I’ve got with Celtic is that I played eight great years there.

“It’s a fantastic club, a great club. I had some great moments up there and I’d like to think I gave them a hand in that.

“But as of this minute I’m back to square one and where I was when I left Aston Villa. I will start going on my cycling bike again and see what happens.

“But I want to get back into the football. Things here weren’t quite right.”