New Celtic contracts for James Forrest, Scott Brown, and Leigh Griffiths would be smart work by the club.
The key trio are set to put pen-to-paper on new deals over the short-term. The club haven’t confirmed when the deals will be completed, but Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that they’re all “close”.
It’s important at any football club to make sure the spine of your team is settled. Signing up Forrest and Brown in particular would be a good step towards that. Both players have been impeccable during their time under Rodgers.
Griffiths doesn’t see as much game-time as either one of those two. It would be foolish to pretend otherwise. But Scotland’s number one striker is one of if not the most talented finisher in Scotland. A lack of game-time has cost him some of his previous sharpness, but he remains a huge player for the club.
Bouncing back after the window
After the disappointment of the summer transfer window, fans need more pick-me-ups from the board. In the main, this has to be done in January. But in the meantime, getting some key players tied up will also help improve the mood around Parkhead.
The deals would be coming at a timely spot. Celtic have just seen off Rangers and are looking to push on in their search for eight-in-a-row. With Moussa Dembele leaving the club on deadline-day, it’s important Celtic have their top assets sealed.
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Brown still looks as though he’ll have years left in him. Forrest is another whose Celtic decline doesn’t look anywhere close. For Griffiths, he’s just eager to start making an impression on Rodgers and the supporters once more.
If the Hoops were to allow all three to run their contracts down, it would leave massive gaps in the squad. Brown was always likely to sign on, and will end his career at the club no doubt. But with Forrest and Griffiths, their departures would’ve left a near-overhaul to be done at the end of the season.
For now, it’s a nice tonic for the supporters, but it’s only the start in the board’s road to redemption after the summer window.