BRENDAN RODGERS insists he will not enter into another summer contract stand-off with Stuart Armstrong.
The Hoops star goes into the final year of his deal this summer, echoing the situation in which he found himself this time last year.
Lengthy negotiations between Celtic and the player’s representatives eventually resulted in Armstrong putting pen to paper on a new contract in August.
But this time around, with interest from the Premier League likely – and other stars like Tom Rogic and Dedryck Boyata also entering their final year – Rodgers will not get “bogged down” in fresh discussions.
“Time goes quick doesn’t it? I have talked to Stuart briefly on it. I just want to help Stuart become the best player he can be,” said Rodgers.
“He knows what he has here, he knows the opportunity he has here and I know he respects that.So I don’t tend to get bogged down too much with that.
“I have a strong relationship with him. I know what he thinks and we will just look to continue developing him.”
Asked whether he would look to sort Armstrong’s situation before he enters the final 12 months of his deal, Rodgers said: “I tend not to worry about that now. When I was younger, I used to think it was personal, but it’s football.
“Players have short careers. Of course, I’d love them to stay here but there are numerous reasons – on both sides as there could be issues with the club as well – 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 just need to protect Celtic while also helping them as much as I can whilst they’re here.
“There are a few going into last year of contract – Tom Rogic and Dedryck Boyata too.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers was embroiled in the Jamie Carragher spitting controversy after finding a planned TV appearance with the former Liverpool star cancelled in its aftermath.
He reckons Carragher’s outburst was out of character – and potentially a symptom of feeling trapped by his profile in a world where “fans” are hungry for social media attention.
“No. You can’t be free. That’s the simplicity of it,” said the Celtic boss. “You can’t go to certain places because you know the attention that it draws.
“To be honest, I never mind when people want a photo or a handshake or a wee word, because we’re in a privileged position.
“They love you because you manage the club, and I get all of that.
“It’s the one where somebody will say to you: ‘Can I have a photograph?’ and they’ll try to trick you into something, or they’re stood filming you, and there are two or three of them, trying to get a reaction.
“You don’t want to react, because then it’s in the public domain. That stuff – it’s definitely not on.”
ARMSTRONG READY FOR SCOTLAND – See Page 6
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