Celtic’s season is coming to a dramatic conclusion, with the Hoops on the brink making this one of the most memorable campaigns in recent memory.
Still unbeaten in domestic football after 36 matches, one win away from a sixth successive league title already and competing for a treble of trophies, it’s fair to say that Brendan Rodgers’ first season in charge has been a popular one with supporters.
Rodgers’ task this summer will be to build on that success and turn this team from one that can dominate in Scotland into a team that can compete on the European stage. Finishing bottom of their UEFA Champions League Group Stage this season, there’s plenty of room for improvement.
Part of that improvement will involve recruiting new players but another key strategy will be retaining the talent already at the club.
Here are three players that the club must commit to new deals and ensure they can call upon in years to come…
Stuart Armstrong
Stuart Armstrong is having a fantastic season. Scoring a massive 12 goals and generally dominating the midfield in most matches he plays, he has rapidly become one of Brendan Rodgers’ most influential and trusted players.
There was a time at the end of Ronny Deila’s reign as Celtic manager that his future at the club looked uncertain but having been given renewed focus under Rodgers, those thoughts seem foolish now.
He actually doesn’t have too long left on his contract at the club, which expires in 2018, the end of next season. That makes his retainment a vital goal of Celtic’s contract and transfer strategy over the next six months. He should be at the head of any queue waiting to enter into renewal discussions with the club.
Set to win his first international cap this week, his standing in the game continues to grow and securing his future sooner rather than later will ward off any hovering clubs waiting to lure him away from Glasgow.
Moussa Dembele
Moussa Dembele has plenty of time left on his current contract but when that was signed we doubt anyone involved thought he would have quite the impact and receive quite the exposure he has this season. Scoring 32 goals in 46 games, he’s emerged as one of the most high profile young players in Europe with clubs seemingly linked with a move for him this summer every few days.
Signing a new deal would end all that chatter immediately and reward him for what has been a wonderful season in the Hoops. That could be what Celtic need to ensure that his head isn’t turned. An unhappy Dembele could effect his performances on the pitch and nobody wants that.
With his deal not up until 2020, there’s an argument to say that Celtic should continue as is, and we can see where that argument comes from. However, tying him down not only ends speculation but could give him the confidence boost needed to hit new heights in his time at the club.
Liam Henderson
Still just 20 years old, Liam Henderson has already won four major honours at three different clubs in the early stages of his career. Winning the Norwegian league title and national cup on loan at Rosenborg, he always inspired Hibernian to a Scottish Cup win last season, again on loan. Added to the league title he won with Celtic in 2014/15, it all adds up to a remarkable footballing education.
That education is starting to pay dividends under Brendan Rodgers who hasn’t been afraid to give him minutes on the pitch so far this season. Henderson has made 6 starts and come off the bench 7 times so far since returning from Hibs and has looked an effective presence in the heart of their midfield.
Developing more of a physical presence to his game and combining well with the likes of Callum McGregor and Stuart Armstrong, the beating Scottish heart of Celtic looks secure in years to come.
Like Armstrong, his deal is up at the club in 2018 and tying him down to a new deal would ensure there’s no chance of him heading elsewhere. He’s far from the finished product but is likely to improve all the time under the guidance of Rodgers and given that they’ve nurtured his talent carefully so far, the club should now commit to the midfielder and ensure they reap the benefits.
