Brendan Rodgers is ready to sit down and agree a new deal with Kolo Toure.
The former Liverpool and Arsenal defender is out of contract at the end of the season with Rodgers keen to retain his services.
At 36 years of age another playing contract may not be on the table but Rodgers is keen to have Toure’s influence around the club.
The Celtic boss has highlighted the professionalism of the defender on a number of occasions and clearly feels that there is a role to play for the popular defender from the Ivory Coast.
“Kolo and I will sit down and see what he’s thinking,” Rodgers explained in The Sun.
“He’s still on the winning teams every day in training and looks after his body, as you saw with his chest on Sunday. He’s in good nick.
“It maybe took him a bit longer to warm up than he used to but you can’t underestimate his influence. He’s highly respected because of his achievements but also because he’s a great role model.
“I signed him to get us through the Champions League group phase and then help out with others. He gives Scott Brown some support and he loves it up here. His family have settled into life up here.
“We’ll discuss the next phase of his career soon but I know he’s very keen on the coaching side. He sits in on all our meetings and is gaining experience.
“In terms of all the planning we do he’s in on that and getting an idea how you plan and prepare your work. That’s invaluable for him and he’s been great for me.”
Rodgers seems to get his way when it comes to all matters at Celtic and could create the role of defensive coach for Toure.
Dedryck Boyata and Erik Sviatchenko have praised the influence that the former Liverpool defender has had on them with his performance away to Hapoel Beer Sheva a master class in defending.
