Bodo Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen has responded to managerial speculation linking him with Ajax, amid further links to Celtic as the Scottish champions continue their hunt for a new boss.

Knutsen is currently flying high in Norway with Glimt, who sit top of the Norwegian Premier League, and as a result, interest is brewing in the 54-year-old.

Ajax are reportedly keen on his services, while he is currently the bookies' favourite to become Celtic manager after Ange Postecoglou departed yesterday for Spurs.

On the interest, Knutsen said: "Nice to be mentioned and very little fun to answer what you are speculating about.

"I am a coach in Glimt, incredibly proud of it and working in that team and with that group of players.

"That's my focus, and it's going to be hard to respond to speculation, because that's really what it is."

Brendan Rodgers, Manchester City assistant Enzo Maresca and David Moyes are also among the favourites, while John Kennedy and Graham Potter can be found further out.

Celtic confirmed that their search for a new boss was underway in a statement. They said: "The process of appointing Celtic’s next football manager is already underway. While we will aim to announce this appointment to supporters as soon as possible, our priority will be to appoint the best candidate to take the club forward."

After departing the club, Postecoglou said: “I would like to sincerely thank everyone at the Club for everything they have given me. In particular, Dermot, Peter and Michael and the Celtic Board have shown me tremendous support in every aspect of my time at Celtic and I will forever be grateful for this.

"They brought me to the Club and I have worked so closely and so well with them for the past two years, I will always have a special relationship with them.

“They wanted me to extend my time at Celtic and while I am so respectful and understanding of their position, a new opportunity has been presented to me and it is one which I wanted to explore.

“It was an honour to be asked to be Celtic manager and during my two years I have given everything I have to deliver success to our supporters. Culminating in the Treble at the weekend, my players and backroom team have been brilliant for me on this journey.

"They have given us all some fantastic moments through their energy and effort, creating real quality, winning football.

“Our supporters have been magnificent to me and I thank them for the way they have embraced me during the past two years. My ambition was always to give our fans a team they could be proud of, a team people talked about and I think we have achieved that.

“Celtic is a phenomenal football club, and so much more - and I will forever be a supporter of this great institution. I wish everyone connected with Celtic nothing but continued success.”