Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has refused to be drawn on whether he will try to lure Steven Gerrard to the club in January.
The 36-year-old midfielder confirmed he is parting company with Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of his 18-month contract, which expires at the turn of the year.
Gerrard, who won 114 international caps for England, worked with Rodgers for three years when the pair were at Liverpool.
Bookies have made Celtic favourites to sign Gerrard in the January transfer window, while Newcastle, where another former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is in charge, have also been linked with the player.
While Rodgers reiterated his praise for the Anfield icon, he insists any business involving recruitment will be conducted in private by Celtic.
Rodgers said: "I never speculate or speak about players coming into the club. 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."
Despite Rodgers' reluctance to be drawn on Gerrard's next move, former Hoops midfielder Murdo MacLeod would love to see the Champions League winner head to Celtic Park.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, MacLeod, who spent nine years with Celtic from 1978, said: "It's an interesting one. Listening to Brendan, he is wondering where this has all come from.
"But he has the connection with him and obviously at some point it would be fantastic to see someone of the quality of Steven Gerrard playing for the club."