‘ARMSTRONG TALKS CAN WAIT,’ RODGERS

CQN Magazine

6 years ago

BRENDAN RODGERS has revealed he will not spend too much time locked in contract renewal talks with Stuart  Armstrong.

The Celtic midfielder had a six-month stand-off with the Hoops this time last year which saw him eventually agree a one-year extension.

Now, though, Rodgers is prepared to let the 25-year-old Scotland international run to the last year of his deal.

The Irishman said: “Players have short careers. Of course, I’d love them to stay, but there are numerous reasons – on both sides as there could be issues with the club, too – that don’t allow them to sign.

“My job is to try to keep them and if they decide their future lies somewhere else, that’s fine.

“I have talked to Stuart briefly on it. I just want to help him become the best player he can be.

“He knows the opportunity he has here and I know he respects that.

“So, I tend not to get bogged down too much with that. I have a strong  relationship with him.”

Rodgers realises the risk of letting the former Dundee United playmaker run down his contract in its final year.

He added: “Players are within their rights if they feel the deal or the offer is not right or just purely if they don’t want to sign.

“But it’s two ways. If it’s not right for both parties then it’s not going to happen.

“Some are happy to see out their career at Celtic, playing for trophies.

“They will play 500 or 600 games – Callum McGregor, someone like that.

“You’ll get players who will see this as a two or three-year project, an opportunity to play for a huge club, be a winner then move on.

“Then you have others who think they want to stay and then they get a big offer and go. The club then tries to get maximum value.

“You like to think you will always have a core there, but you want freshness, too.”

* Read Motherwell v Celtic full match report here

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