BRENDAN RODGERS is poised to reward a quartet of his stars with new long-term contracts.
The Celtic boss is keen to keep his quality performers at the club and Stuart Armstrong will be among the first to be offered an extension, as CQN reported yesterday.
Goalkeeper Craig Gordon, right-back Mikael Lustig and Honduran international defender Emilio Izaguirre are also being lined up for new deals.
The rejuvenated Armstrong, 24, has been a revelation for the champions over the past three months and the Hoops will soon sit down with the player to open discussions.
His current deal doesn’t expire until June next year, but he can expect that to be extended beyond 2020.
Talks have also started with Swedish defender Lustig, 30, who has already stated his intention of staying at the Hoops.
He said: “I’m really happy here. I’ve been here five years and I’ve loved every minute of my time with the club.”
Scotland No.1 Gordon, who celebrated his 34th birthday in the 2-1 win over Rangers at Ibrox on Hogmanay, is under contract until June next year.
However, Rodgers, who believes the goalie can play on until he’s 40 just like ex-Manchester United shotstopper Edwin van der Sar, is eager to make sure the former £9million man finishes his career in the east end of Glasgow.
Gordon said recently: “The club have an option for a further year after the end of this season and I would like to stay.
“To be at a massive club is special. Where else would I want to be when we are challenging for trophies?
“It’s everything I would want and I want to play in this team for as long as I can.”
Izaguirre looked to be heading for the Parkhead exit with the remarkable emergence of teenager Kieran Tierney last season.
But the 30-year-old left-back has shown some excellent form since he took over from the crocked Scotland international in this campaign.
Rodgers has already opened the door to an extension for the defender who arrived from Motagua in his homeland six years ago.
He said: “The idea is to have the competition for the left-back position.
“We have one with experience and one with youthfulness. So, it’s a perfect balance.”
BERTIE AULD has signed a limited number of copies of That Season in Paradise – Ten Months of Celtic Heaven for CQN. Order your copy now from www.cqnbookstore.com
