Brendan Rodgers 'loving life' at 'amazing club' Celtic as he enters last 18 months of contract

Brendan Rodgers is “loving life” at Celtic as he nears the last 18 months of his current deal at the Scottish champions.

The manager says he appreciates even more how much of an “amazing club” he is at after spending five years away between spells in the Parkhead dugout.

After winning a double last season and making a strong start and early strides in the Champions League this campaign, the Irishman is in a “good place” and has no doubts he will see out the three-year deal that he signed in the summer of 2023.

But he is hesitant to look too much further ahead as he knows how quickly things can change in football after being criticised for the job he was doing at times during last season.

Speaking to the media following Celtic’s AGM on Friday, he said: “I said on my first day back here, that I would absolutely be here for three years unless I get emptied earlier.

“At the end of that three years I will have done nearly six years as Celtic manager, which is a long time for a Celtic manager, but I haven’t really thought about it.

“I think for most of last year it was more about people wanting me out than in, so I’m not going to talk about new contracts now.

“I just need to keep working and trying to do well and I’m sure at some point next season we can see how we are going and take it from there.

“But at this minute I love my life here, it’s an amazing club to work at. Funnily enough, going away and coming back has made it even better for me because I knew what I was missing when I was away.

“So I am in no rush to be thinking about leaving it again. It’s a great place to be and I love working with the players.

“They say in life that the best currency you have is time and I think that as you get older you realise the importance of the time around people you love, family, and your workplace, and I would have to agree with that.

“I am in a brilliant place at the minute and I just want to keep it that way.”

Celtic have also announced that right-back Alistair Johnston has signed a new deal at the club that will run until 2029.

Rodgers says he was delighted with the news and praised the impact the Canada international has had in the squad.

He said: “I’m really pleased with that and I think the club are really good in that way with getting players to commit to the long-term.

“Of course, it doesn’t always mean that the player will be here for the full length of that, but it protects the asset. All the players sign with the intention of being here for the duration, and none more so than Ali who loves being a Celtic player.

“He has so many assets, on and off the pitch, that help this team and this club and I am really delighted that he’s signed.”