Trapattoni claims Celtic wanted him, as Neil Lennon lines up Liam Lawrence

Trapattoni spoke out on the same day it emerged that Republic midfielder Liam Lawrence is the subject of a bid which, if successful, would make him Neil Lennon's first signing as Celtic manager.

Trapattoni, meanwhile, said he could not be tempted away from his current post.

The timing of the alleged interest from Celtic in the Italian is significant. It is nine weeks since Tony Mowbray was relieved of his duties. It is, though, only three weeks since the club released a statement from chairman John Reid following the final SPL game of the season, which said the club were only now beginning the recruitment process for a new manager.

This, Celtic said, was out of fairness to Lennon, who took over as interim manager following Mowbray's departure and is likely to be confirmed in the post on a permanent basis this week.

Trapattoni's comments point to a different sequence of events. The veteran Italian said: "It was not the Celtic chairman, but someone close to him, close to the club, a former player, who approached me three to four months ago and asked would I be interested in a position. But I say no, I am with Ireland. I also had two or three teams ask me in Italy, and two English teams. I told them all the same answer, that I am with Ireland."

In recent weeks, the 71-year-old has been linked with a possible mentoring, director of football-style role alongside Lennon who admitted last week he might seek "an old head" to work with. This, along with a desire to flank Lennon with new signings to show ambition has not been stunted with the recruitment of a novice coach, may be what is delaying his appointment. The delay has not caused Celtic to stall on pursuing signing targets, however, and Stoke City wide midfielder Lawrence could be the first new player the club acquire this summer.

Lennon watched the 28-year-old score for the Republic in their 2-1 victory over Paraguay on Tuesday night and Celtic are understood to be in discussions with Stoke on a deal for Lawrence in the region of 1.5m.

"Celtic have opened talks with Stoke over a move," a source close to the player confirmed. "Liam is very excited by the idea of playing for such a big club. It's up to the clubs now to sort out a fee, but he's very happy and is already thinking of pulling on the hoops next season."

Lawrence said: "I've spoken to my manager at Stoke, Tony Pulis, and told him I think it's best if I move on. If I'm not playing regularly, the Ireland boss isn't going to take a chance on me."