Peter Taylor has dismissed reports linking Leicester's Scottish international defender Matt Elliott with a move to Celtic but is desperate to ensure that his captain remains untouchable at Filbert Street.
Taylor is currently in negotiations with Elliott over an improved contract but Leicester's initial offer has been dismissed by the burly centre-back, fuelling speculation that he may link up with his former boss Martin O'Neill at Parkhead.
The tough-tackling centre-back-cum-makeshift striker has been at Leicester since January 1997 and has become a firm favourite with the Foxes fans for his no-nonsense style; something that has also earned him international recognition for Scotland.
Taylor has strengthened Leicester's squad over the summer with three major signings and, having sold Neil Lennon to Celtic last season, he would hate to see another of the Foxes' stalwarts follow O'Neill to Glasgow.
"I'm very confident the situation with Matt has nothing to do with a yearning to play elsewhere," Taylor said.
"He has insisted that's the case and I know he's very happy here. He's settled with our club and the area.
"He would like a little more security, a bit more money. I can understand how he feels - but that is where I'm getting punished for bringing good Premiership players in this summer like Wise, Ian Walker and Jamie Scowcroft.
"If I had brought in three younger lads with less experience, I wouldn't be facing this position with Matt, who is looking at what he has done for this club, which has been tremendous.
"Perhaps he's thinking he should be on what the newcomers are earning. He knows he's important to us and I'm desperate, for football reasons alone, that he stays."
Meanwhile, Taylor has wished England's under-21 coach David Platt every success in his new role with the national team.
Taylor enjoyed two successful years as coach of the under-21s before being replaced by Platt's predecessor, FA Technical Director Howard Wilkinson, and it was a job he says he enjoyed immensely.
"I just want to wish David all the luck and tell him he has a terrific job," the Leicester boss said.
"Looking at his first squad I think it is extremely exciting and there are some really good players there.
"What's nice for David is that so many players from my time as Under-21 boss are now playing for the seniors - and that gives players a real incentive," Taylor continued.
"They will want to work hard for David and alw ays turn up because they know the senior squad is getting younger all the time.
"There are real opportunities for people to come through, just as players like Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Kieron Dyer, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand have found out."
As for his own England connections, Taylor admits it is difficult to watch international games purely as a spectator, having acted as stand-in senior manager last year and helping with the coaching of the full squad.
"It will be hard watching the game and not being involved," he admitted.
"But I'm sure they will do well. There are some terrific players in there and I've enjoyed every minute of working with them.
"I'm sure David Platt will have the same feeling because you can't beat working with the best young players in the country."
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