Jordan Rhodes plays down talk of move from Huddersfield

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Jordan Rhodes trains with Scotland

Jordan Rhodes has again played down speculation linking him with boyhood heroes Celtic and is concentrating on Huddersfield Town and Scotland.

The 22-year-old striker is in line to make his first Scotland start, against Australia on Wednesday.

"It's not something that's on my mind at the moment," said the striker, who is a target for Blackburn Rovers.

"I'm just working as hard as I can and concentrating on making myself a better player."

Blackburn manager Steve Kean last week admitted he still wants to sign Rhodes despite a bid being rejected by Championship rivals Huddersfield and the striker has also been linked with Aston Villa and Fulham.

"While I'm still working as hard as I can, seeing my name in the papers linked with one club or another, it doesn't really seem that real," said Rhodes, who scored 48 goals last season for his club and Scotland Under-21s.

Image caption,

Kenny Miller goes for goal as he settles in at Vancouver Whitecaps

"It seems surreal if anything. While it's fantastic and very flattering, you don't really take too much notice of it because you don't really think too much of it is true."

Oldham-born Rhodes used to attend Celtic matches with father Andy, who played for Airdrie, Dunfermline and St Johnstone.

"I was a Celtic fan growing up and had all the jerseys and went to the matches with my dad," he said about the prospect of a move to Celtic Park.

"It would be something as a kid I dreamt of doing, but they have got a fantastic club and I'm sure they will attract many a good player.

"Sometimes it might not happen, but as a kid it would have been a dream come true."

Rhodes made his full international debut as a late substitute in the friendly win over Cyprus in November and could start at Easter Road in the absence of the rested Kenny Miller and the injured Jamie Mackie.

However, he thinks it is too early to talk of him taking over as the main marksman now that 33-year-old Miller has moved to the Major Soccer League with Vancouver Whitecaps.

"No, because Kenny Miller has been a fantastic servant for Scottish football," Rhodes said.

"He has been a great role model to look up to and I'm sure he will feature greatly throughout the 2014 World Cup campaign.

"The manager has so many good strikers to consider."