With Celtic soon to resume pre-season training Brendan Rodgers has some big decisions to make with five first team players entering the final year of their contracts.
These days the final 12 months of a player’s contract are largely worthless as the cat and mouse game goes into stoppage time.
Rodgers’ learned some valuable lessons last summer as Stuart Armstrong’s contract dominated the agenda effecting the players performance even after a compromise 12 month extension was agreed.
That scenario won’t be repeated with the Celtic boss ensuring that the club is well protected and not overly reliant on one individual.
With each passing transfer window Rodgers gains more control over the squad even though wage inflation in England presents a massive challenge.
Almost every player in the Celtic squad could earn more money elsewhere but as Tom Rogic demonstrated a good competitive contract laced with development and success also has it’s attractions.
The Australian’s deal was a real breakthrough, the cycle of recruit, develop and sell on was broken in spectacular style.
Any player that Rodgers wants to retain will know the career benefits of being at Celtic, the manager’s contract demonstrates his commitment.
As Armstrong weighs up options from Crystal Palace and Southampton Celtic and Rodgers are planning ahead with no passengers on board the Brendan Bus.
JAMES FORREST
There has barely been a word about a new deal for the winger coming off his best ever season, producing form that sidelined Patrick Roberts.
Forrest seemed an absolute certainty to be leaving when Brendan Rodgers took over from Ronny Deila, especially with just six months left on his contract.
Quickly his situation at Celtic turned around, he was in the team, productive and signed a new three year contract at the same time as Tom Rogic.
Forrest’s negotiating position is much stronger than it was in August 2016, his instinct will be to stay with Celtic but he’ll know the rate of salary inflation within the club over the last two seasons and deserves to be up close to the top earners.
DEDRYCK BOYATA
This one is a real puzzle.
At Ibrox in March he probably put in the worst performance of any Celtic player all season, he held his place, has the total confidence of the manager with his end of season performances starting to win over his biggest critics among the support.
There is no wavering in Brendan Rodgers’ support for the defender signed by Ronny Deila but as he prepares for the World Cup there are bound to be some lucrative offers heading his way.
Celtic and Rodgers may be the perfect combination for Boyata’s style of play, Champions League football is unlikely elsewhere but very few of his international colleagues will be taking home less than £100,000/week, many are picking up more than double that amount.
STUART ARMSTRONG
It is looking very much like the end of the road at Celtic for the midfielder that truly came to life during Rodgers’ first season.
The hangover from last summer’s negotiations stretched all through the 2017/18 season with barely a shrug of the shoulders from supporters.
Between Olivier Ntcham and Callum McGregor the position is well covered while Tom Rogic’s new deal is the level of commitment that the manager is looking for.
It looks like the former Dundee United man is on his way elsewhere, leaving behind one remarkable season, great memories and a haircut song.
RYAN CHRISTIE
Will need some pre-season fireworks if he is to create a place in the squad and earn a new contract.
There were spells at Aberdeen where he got close to the form required but based on his performances at Pittodrie he wouldn’t have been a Celtic transfer target.
Christie is capable of having a more than decent career but it looks more likely to be in the top half of the English Championship rather than at Celtic.
MIKAEL LUSTIG
Like Boyata he’ll spend the next few weeks alongside some very well paid international colleagues but probably realising that he has something that few of his Swedish colleagues enjoy.
On form Lustig is a fantastic asset to Celtic but like many the season just closing wasn’t close to the heights that he reached the previous term.
He has recovered before, bounced back from serious hip operations and competitors for his place but with his 32nd birthday coming up in December he has to hit form to earn another contract.
There aren’t many players more popular than the Swede but there won’t be any sentiment involved when Rodgers makes his decisions on contracts and replacements.