Celtic manager Martin O'Neill says he will see out his contract with the Scottish premier league club, ending speculation that he would become the new Leeds United manager.

The BBC reported on Friday that O'Neill, speaking after a lunch in Dublin ahead of Celtic's pre-season tour of Ireland, had said he had not been approached about the Leeds job.

"There has been no approach from Leeds and I want to see through the remaining year of my contract," O'Neill was reported as saying.

"I was shocked when I heard that David O'Leary had been sacked but these things happen in football."

The Northern Irishman had been tipped in the media as Leeds' number one choice to replace O'Leary, who was sacked last month, with bookmakers installing him as hot favourite to take the Elland Road hotseat.

Leeds have said they are taking their time over the appointment after several lengthy board meetings on the subject.

On Thursday the club dismissed suggestions that they had approached former England coach Terry Venables about the job, saying they would make an approach to their chosen candidate "shortly."