'I can understand it' - Manager makes admission after reported Celtic interest in 24-year-old

By Danny Wright

Reading manager Jaap Stam has issued a hands-off warning to Celtic after reports emerged that Brendan Rodgers is interested in defender Liam Moore.

The Daily Record has claimed that the Bhoys are planning to raid the Royals for Moore, 24, as they look to solve the centre-back crisis that has plagued them throughout the entire early phases of the season.

It was understood that the former England Under-21 international is valued at £5million by Reading having joined them from Premier League side Leicester last summer.

However former Manchester United and AC Milan defender Stam has moved quickly to warn the Hoops off Moore, although he does admit that he can see why they would want to sign him.

"If you want to build a club and go somewhere you're not going to sell your best players.' [talking about Moore's link to Celtic]. If he is mentioned I can understand it because he has the ability to step up," he said, as quoted by Reading Chronicle reporter Courtney Friday on his personal Twitter account.

Moore has been ever-present for Reading this season and has made 17 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals in the process.

He helped Stam's side reach the Championship play-off final last season and his form has been surely what has seen Rodgers keep an eye on him.

Jozo Simunovic, Dedryck Boyata and Erik Svitachenko have all been injured this season and there has never been an opportunity for Celtic to pick between all three of them at any stage.

In other Celtic news, an ex-England international has claimed Martin O'Neill should have signed him for the Hoops.

We’ve launched a << BREAKING NEWS FEED>> exclusively for your club. ‘Like Us’ on Facebook by clicking here if you want 24/7 updates on all Celtic breaking news.