Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has emerged as one of the leading candidates to replace Roy Keane at the Stadium of Light. But he refused to field questions on Sunderland and cut short his weekly press conference when questions persisted on the subject.

. Before that though, he stressed how happy he was at Celtic Park.

"It's a fantastic club to work for and it's a great bunch of lads," enthused Strachan.

"They are smashing to work with, they are receptive and want to get better.

"The facilities are fantastic as well. We are training on a magnificent pitch, considering the weather has been that bad."

Strachan's long-term future has been the subject of constant conjecture, but the former Coventry and Southampton boss believes he is becoming a better manager at Celtic.

"Throughout your football career or any job, there are crisis points where you say 'can I go on?' You pick yourself up and you go on," added Strachan.

"The more you get through that, the stronger you get, whether it's a football manager or any business you deal with.

"These things make you stronger and wiser and the longer you can stay in the game, the better you are going to become as a manager.

"You need to put a lot of work in and you need a bit of luck at times as well.

"But what you need as a manager is good players, and I have been fortunate to work with a lot of good players over the last 12 years.

"You are certainly tested here, that's for sure. But that is part of the deal. That's why we get looked after so well.

"I've had tests throughout my career and you have to deal with them.

"I'm lucky to have good players around me to help me stay where I am at 51."