Brendan Rodgers won't worry about Celtic player’s contracts expiring

After stressful transfer windows, managers' usual recurring worry about their squad is contract-related. When players' contracts are set to expire at the end of the season, it can be a cause for concern. Celtic have a few on their roster for whom that applies next summer. 

It’s well known that those with expiring deals can talk to other clubs from January onwards with regards to pre-contracts. And of course, they potentially can leave without a transfer fee.

That can sometimes leave a huge hole in the squad and it may take a significant fee to bring in someone to replace them. For the coming summer, there are three Celtic first-team squad members to whom that scenario applies. 

It was part of the deal to bring Kasper Schmeichel to the club for this season. Rodgers though has got this covered twofold. There is a built-in option for the club and the Danish international to extend for another year. The Hoops also signed Viljami Sinisalo from Aston Villa as the next step in a succession plan between the posts. 

Brendan Rodgers won't worry about Celtic player’s contracts expiring

James Forrest has a deal until the end of this season. The player has already indicated he’s not yet ready to leave or retire and would love to get a new contract from the club. The Celtic academy graduate has been very much a one-club man, and if he continues to show his form, no doubt an extension offer will follow. This is very much under Rodgers' control and won’t be a concern for him.

The third first-team player with an expiring contract is Scott Bain. It seems highly unlikely it’ll be renewed, especially if Schmeichel remains in place.

Bain did feature in a midweek friendly against Sligo Rovers but made some errors and didn’t at all make a case for a new deal. Rodgers should not lose any sleep over his situation unless he has to play him again, and at a competitive level at that.

There had been concerns over Celtic's scouting and recruitment approach previously. The last set of signings has helped build some confidence in the setup. It does look as though the way the club manages contracts is very much under control and removing additional worries for Rodgers about his squad.