'He's a winner': Alistair Johnston hopes Brendan Rodgers will extend his stay as Celtic manager

Celtic defender Alistair Johnston is hopeful the club can secure a “long-term” stay for Brendan Rodgers as the manager looks to try and win another domestic treble.

Rodgers returned to Parkhead in 2023 for a second spell in charge and has enjoyed success again, with a Premiership title and League Cup double last year.

With the Premier Sports Cup already in the trophy cabinet this season, the team are one point away from clinching the league title and face St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-final this weekend.

Rodgers and his players are fully focused on their treble bid but the Northern Irishman only has 12 months left on his contract after this season. Asked about it last weekend he said he was “150%” committed to staying until at least 2026.

Asked if he wanted the club to reach agreement on a longer deal for the manager, Johnston was effusive in his praise for his boss and made it clear he wants to see Rodgers at the club “long-term”.

“The gaffer has been great since he’s walked in the door,” Johnston said. “I think his resume speaks for itself not only for his time here but his time elsewhere.

“He’s a winner. It’s as simple as that. He’s a manager that you love to play for.

“Obviously those sort of decisions are way above my pay grade but at the end of the day I think it will come down to what the gaffer wants.

“He’s proven time and time again what a top manager he is and how much he loves this club, how much he loves being here for the fans.

“I think that’ll be a decision between him and the club but hopefully there’s something that can keep him here for the long term.

“He has one more year after this and no matter what he’ll be here next year. I think that’s something all the fans and players are excited about.”

While the Canadian appreciated what Rodgers has done for the team as a whole, he feels that on a personal level his own game has been improved under the manager’s coaching.

“He’s been great,” Johnston said. “Obviously I came in under Ange and was brought in to [play inverted full-back] and hit the ground running a little bit but I was still starry eyed and trying to find my place.

“When he came in, he kind of unlocked me in terms of him wanting me to be that full-back that bombs up and down. Not only a shut-down kind of defender but also that was constantly over-lapping.

“He saw that I had the ability to do that and between him and John Kennedy they’ve kind of fine-tuned me and got me into the best form I think I’ve ever been in, certainly at the start of the season.

“He’s been great for me, there’s no doubt about that. I’ve really enjoyed playing under him and hopefully that continues for a long, long time.”