New Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted that joining the club is "not a step down" for him following his three-and-a-half-year spell at Liverpool.

The Northern Irishman was appointed as Ronny Deila's successor at Parkhead last week.

The 43-year-old, who has signed a 12-month rolling contract, spent seven months out of work after getting sacked by Liverpool in October.

While facing the media for the first time since his appointment at Celtic, Rodgers said in a press conference: "I left a really special club at Liverpool where I had had a wonderful time. I wanted to have a good rest and come away from the game a bit. I was fortunate enough to have opportunities to go to the Premier League or abroad.

"But my emotional attachment to the football club is very strong and has been for years. The more I thought about it, there was a draw for me. Celtic is one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"This is certainly not a step down. This is an institution and it is a huge honour to manager here. I want to continue with the dominance of Scottish football and make an impact in European football."

Rodgers did not win a trophy during his spell at Anfield, but he guided them to two points within Premier League champions Manchester City in the 2013-14 season.