Brendan Rodgers insists he is "open to helping" new Inverness boss Duncan Ferguson.

The former Everton striker revealed in his first press conference that he had spoken to the Celtic manager about the possibility of taking players on loan.

And the Northern Irishman opened up on the two exchanging messages recently.

He said: "We connected when he was at Everton, and then throughout my managerial jobs. I’m always open to help with whatever manager or coach needs it.

"When we faced Everton - whenever he was in temporary change - we obviously got chatting for a good bit around that time.

"We have communication, it’s like most coaches and managers, not every single day but my phone is there for him if he ever wanted to reach out.

"I think it’s great for him, he clearly wants to do well in management, and he’s spent a long time in coaching.

"Going up to Inverness, it’s a lovely part of the world, but I’m sure they want to do well in their football, and so will he.

"We exchanged messages the other day."

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Rodgers also revealed that Cameron Carter-Vickers will soon re-join first-team training at Celtic.

However, the United States international is still some way off from making a return to the starting XI.

The defender has been out injured since Celtic's 3-1 win over Aberdeen in the early weeks of the season.

The 25-year-old was ruled out for up to two months in a bitter early-season blow for the Scottish champions.

And Rodgers insists the ex-Tottenham player is making good strides in his recovery, but he won't be back on the field until after the international break at the earliest.

Well we've got Cam who's coming back in to re-join the training group, but he's not going to be ready until after the international break I would suspect," he stated.

“Nat Phillips we are keeping an eye on, he has rejoined the group but we just have to make sure with his ankle.

“But that looks much better. Hopefully (he will be back) for the weekend. No-one else who has been out injured will be back.”