Celtic should prioritise contract extension for Brendan Rodgers, says Stan Petrov | OneFootball

Former Celtic midfielder Stan Petrov has said that the club need to tie down Brendan Rodgers on an extended deal. The Irishman’s current deal expires next summer and there have already been suggestions that the manager could leave if he doesn’t get the backing in the transfer market.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Semi Final at Hampden, Petrov said that Celtic should be looking at tying the 52-year-old down on a deal that extends his salty behind three years. “He’s done a great job,” the former Celtic midfielder said. “I think it will be silly from the board not to continue with Brendan. So far, he hasn’t given any reasons for the board or the fans to think anything else.

“If the team finishes with a treble this year and a good European campaign, you have to look at that, and I’m sure that the board is looking into it because he’s Celtic through and through and he’s a great manager. He knows the club inside out, he knows the players as well now, and he’s got the opportunity to add his own players that he feels can help the team develop.”

Rodgers has an unbeaten record at the National Stadium and he will be eager to continue that when Celtic face St Johnstone at Hampden. The manager is on track to pick up the Premiership title in his second season as well as competing for the Scottish Cup. It could be another record breaking season for the club.

Brendan Rodgers. Hibs v Celtic. 22 February 2025.Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Some of Brendan’s comments in the wake of the defeat at McDiarmid Park have been interpreted as a shot across the bow of the Celtic Board. However, Petrov believes that it is a show of strength from Rodgers as he looks to ensure more quality recruits to ensure for competition in Europe.

“It was really clever from a strong manager asking for players. I think with the new format of European football, Brendan feels that if he had more quality, more good players, then he can do even more in European football.

“We all remember that when Brendan came to the club, he was talking about the European adventures, that he wanted to achieve a lot more with Celtic in Europe, so that will be his intention.

“I don’t think he worries about domestically, he has a strong team, good players, healthy squad and he’s quite happy with that (for Scottish football). But I think with his comments, he tried to challenge the board, and now the board needs to answer. What they have to do is just go and spend money.

“I’m sure that Celtic will do that because what I’ve seen over the year, their recruitment has been really good. The development of the players has been great.”

Celtic have already agreed a pre-contract with Kieran Tierney with the 27-year-old set for a sensational return to the club. Celtic are still keen on signing a long term contract for Greg Taylor. The left-back earned MOTM in the 5-1 win over Kilmarnock in a timely show of his qualities. The club are also looking at a new striker as they look to replace Kyogo, who left for Rennes in January.