Manchester City, currently led by Stuart Pearce, have been linked with the former Southampton and Coventry boss but Strachan insisted he was happy at Parkhead.

Strachan said: "I can't deal with speculation and rumours.

"I can only deal with reality and the reality of my situation is that I love what I'm doing here and I love working for this club."

Celtic travel to Dundee United 13 points clear at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League and certain to land their second title in a row.

But Strachan insists work is already well under way to get his squad into shape for next season.

He said: "In 10 or 11 years as a manager I don't think I've seen as many scouts working as hard, covering an area that we are covering at the moment.

"But it's only right because you have to search further and further these days to get good quality at the right price."

Meanwhile, Paul Hartley has vowed to put his neck on the line by taking Celtic's next penalty.

Craig Beattie missed from the spot as they fell to their second defeat on the trot at Falkirk a fortnight ago, following their 1-0 defeat by Rangers.

Strachan revealed that he has since picked his top three penalty takers for the rest of the season but wouldn't disclose their identity.

The Hoops' midfielder, however, is keen to score his first Celtic goal since arriving from Hearts in January and will gladly use a spot-kick to get off the mark.

He said: "When I came to Celtic I wasn't sure who the penalty taker was.

"Craig was pretty confident of taking the penalty against Falkirk and it was just one of those things.

"I have got a good record from the spot so if there's a penalty in the next game then I will put myself forward to take it.

"We have lost the last two games and not managed to score but we will start finding the back of the net soon.

"Over the past couple of seasons I have managed to score a couple of goals.

"This season has been a bit different but hopefully I can score goals.

"It's not happened so far but I am pretty confident in my own ability that the goals will come."