‘We want to keep him as long as we can…’ Callum McGregor desperate for Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic future to be resolved quickly

By JOHN MCGARRY

Callum McGregor wants Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic future resolved as soon as possible — ideally with the manager agreeing to extend his stay beyond 2026.

After leading the Parkhead club to their fourth successive title at Tannadice on Saturday, Rodgers insisted that he’ll remain in Glasgow for next term.

About to enter the final season of the three-year deal he signed upon returning, the 52-year-old has hinted that he might be willing to extend the arrangement.

Now the most decorated living Celtic manager with 11 trophies, Rodgers could complete a sixth Treble in nine seasons were his side to beat Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final. And skipper McGregor hopes that the Northern Irishman may yet be persuaded to stick around for more.

‘If we can keep him for as long as we can, then we have an elite level manager, no doubt,’ he said.

‘Obviously, that’s between him and the club. What I would say on that is we want to keep him for as long as we can. He was hugely successful in his first spell.

Callum McGregor is desperate for manager Brendan Rodgers to stay on at Celtic

Celtic skipper McGregor is one of the contenders for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year

‘He’s come back, he’s done the same again. The hunger’s there. I see the way he speaks, the way he carries himself, he’s an elite manager at the highest level and Celtic are lucky to have him as well.

‘Since he’s come in, he’s elevated the club to a new level. You just look at the domestic success that’s happened since then and it’s been relentless, really. If we are successful in the cup final, that’ll be six Trebles in nine years, which is unheard of.

‘We then get into the conversation about, if you don’t win a Treble, it’s been a disaster. So, that tells you how far he’s pushed the club.’

Aware of the need for all parties to plan for the long term, skipper McGregor believes it would be helpful if there’s clarity on the issue sooner rather than later.

‘Well, I guess so, because then the club will have to plan for that,’ he said.

‘He’s the type of man that, if that is ever going to happen (leaving), I think he would let the club know and want to leave the club in the best possible way.

‘He cares so much about the players. He cares so much about his profession as well. So, when I see someone like that, I think, that’s gold dust.’

CelticScottish Premiership

:
‘We want to keep him as long as we can…’ Callum McGregor desperate for Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic future to be resolved quickly

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk