BRENDAN RODGERS, talking about his captain Scott Brown’s future this evening said that he is “very hopeful that he would be staying here” and that a decision from Scott Brown in imminent.
Brown has a lucrative contract on the table from Celtic which would give him the chance to skipper the side to Ten in a Row and he has an alternative option to take his family to Australia for the next three years to see out his playing days in the Melbourne sunshine.
Last week the Western Melbourne chief Maurice Bisetto claimed last week he was “pretty close” to landing a marquee signing and hinted that Brown was the star he had in mind.
The Celtic manager has plenty of respect for Broony and has been determined to give him the time and space to come to a decision for himself and his family.
Broony struggled for form and fitness in the first half of the season but looked back to his best in the 3-0 win over Airdrie at Celtic Park today. He played like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders and perhaps that is the best indicator that he has now reached a decision and will be making it public very shortly indeed.
“I had a long chat with Scott in the week, which obviously will be private,” Brendan said.
“I think he knows that some point fairly soon he’ll have to make a decision, and he wants to make a decision to be fair.
“There’s been a lot going on for him. It’s important for him in his football life that he finds that stability.
“It’s more for him. It is just that it is the first time in a long while, when he has had to think in relation to his future.
“He’s getting to that stage. He’s 34 at the end of the season. If he looks after his body well, though, he can still play for another number of years.
“Naturally, the respect I have for him and that the club has for him, we want to give him that time.
“Of course he loves it here and we’ve given him time to make the best decision for him and his family. I’d think in the near future he’ll have a decision either way.
“Naturally, the respect I have for him, we want to give him that time. But I’d be very hopeful that he would be staying here.”
The Celtic support also hold our captain in the highest of esteem. Should he decide to leave the club for the new adventure in Australia no-one would grudge him the opportunity.
However if he decides to stay at Celtic, everyone will be absolutely delighted!
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