BRENDAN RODGERS insists skipper Scott Brown deserves all the time he requires before making up his mind about his future.
MLS sides Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota United have been linked with the 33-year-old midfielder, as CQN reported yesterday.
Australian outfit Western Melbourne are also monitoring Brown’s situation as he comes out of contract at the end of the season.
Hoops boss Rodgers has already stated he wants his onfield leader to remain at Parkhead and there have been suggestions the club are about to offer a new two-year deal.
Brown, who has missed the last six games through injury after limping off during the 4-2 win over Hibs in Glasgow on October 20, will not be put under pressure to make a massive career commitment.
Rodgers remarked: “If anyone has deserved time to make a decision, it’s Scott.
POINTING THE WAY AHEAD…Scott Brown who is out of contract in the summer. Pic: Geo.
“He has every right, if he has options for this last period of his career, he needs the time to look at that.
“That shouldn’t be taken by any Celtic supporters that he doesn’t want to be here.
“He loves it here, he’s been top class and we want him to stay, but, like all players at that stage of their career, he’ll have to look at it for himself and his family.”
Brown, who quit the Scotland international scene earlier this year after his 55th cap, returned to light training at Lennoxtown this week, but is unlikely to be risked when the champions visit Hamilton Accies tomorrow to face another 90 minutes on an artificial surface.
Rodgers’ side have already shed five points in this campaign following matches on plastic pitches – the 2-1 loss to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in September and the scoreless stalemate versus Livingston in West Lothian just under a fortnight ago.
