Brendan Rodgers is ready to get tough with Stuart Armstrong over his contract stand off.
Talks started six months ago but there are little signs of agreement as the clock ticks down into the final year of his contract.
Armstrong is one of the lowest paid players in the Celtic squad after joining from Dundee United in February 2015 but could earn a bumper new deal and signing on fee from Celtic.
Half a dozen EPL clubs could probably double the deal on offer but it’s unlikely that he’ll get the same space and scope to develop in away from Brendan Rodgers.
“It needs to be resolved one way or the other.”
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers says Stuart Armstrong has been affected by a contract dispute. pic.twitter.com/4bWaqvtvGU
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) August 11, 2017
The Irishman developed the 25 year old from an outsider into a 17 goal midfielder but may be about to come to the uncomfortable decision of having to sell Armstrong or dump him on the sidelines.
“Stuart’s position needs to be resolved one way or another,” Rodgers told BT Sport. “It’s effecting him, I can see that.
“He is a good guy, he was at the top of his game for six months last season, he’s done extremely well but he just doesn’t have that confidence at the moment. The contract situation is playing a huge part in that.
“We’re hoping that he can get it resolved one way or the other then we can see the Stuart Armstrong that performed very well for a lot of last season.”
Celtic’s midfield is already the most congested area of the squad with Olivier Ntcham signed during the summer from Manchester City for £4m.
The Frenchman was substituted by Armstrong in the 75th minute last night but it looks like Rodgers is already preparing for life without the former Dundee United man.