Rodgers doubts Celtic will be able to sign Oliver Burke permanently

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Oliver Burke has made a promising start to life at Celtic.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has told The Scottish Sun that there is little chance of signing winger Oliver Burke on a permanent basis this summer.

The Bhoys were busy in the January transfer window, making seven new signings to bolster Rodgers’ squad for now and for the future.

One of those additions was West Bromwich Albion wide man Burke, who had struggled earlier this season with just 46 minutes of league action for the Baggies.

Celtic struck a deal to take the 21-year-old on loan until the end of the season, and he has already made a strong start to life at Parkhead.

Burke has hit three goals in five league outings for Celtic, including the second goal in the midweek win over Hibernian.

The Scotland international appears to be thriving under Rodgers, and fans have been dreaming of the former Nottingham Forest and RB Leipzig winger signing permanently this summer.

However, Rodgers has admitted that he finds it unlikely that such a deal will take place, even suggesting that his wages may increase if West Brom win promotion to the Premier League.

Rodgers even revealed that he spoke to ex-Celtic defender Malky Mackay about signing Burke, and vowed to keep improving Burke before his eventual return to West Brom this summer.

“I think so,” said Rodgers when asked if Burke staying was ‘pie in the sky’. “It would be great for Celtic if he did. But the reality is that the improvements he will make here over the course of the next six months will probably excite West Brom. If they get promoted then probably his wages change anyway. So he helps us for now and we help them.”

“I spoke to Malky Mackay about Oliver as he’d spent time with him in Leipzig. Malky gave me a great insight from that experience. It felt like Oliver needed time. He needed training and help. There’s no doubt there is an absolutely brilliant player in there. We all know he can run like the wind, he’s powerful and he’s got physique but what did he do naturally? That was the bit we needed shining.”

“There are things he can do better. In this short period of time I can see a lot of changes in his game without taking away what he is good at, which is running, working and pressing. He’s good technically and I’ve been delighted with him. It’s a great challenge for us to help him develop and we get the benefit,” he added.