Brendan Rodgers has 2 immediate Celtic priorities to focus on instead of being distracted by contract talk
Celtic fans are getting worried with the boss heading into the final year of his Parkhead deal
Brendan Rodgers has been backed to keep his focus on keeping Celtic on top in Scotland while shooting for Europe despite uncertainty over his long-term future.
The Hoops boss is set to hold talks with Parkhead power broker Dermot Desmond over the summer as he heads into the final year of his contract.
But Celts hero Packie Bonner is convinced the Irishman won't allow any distractions as he aims to keep Rangers at bay and cracking the Champions League.
Bonner said: ' Brendan is an elite manager. His future doesn't get in the way for him. He's really focused on getting in the players he wants and preparing for that initial first game in Europe.
'And if he gets over that hurdle, gets the right players in, he'll be a happy, happy man. Has Rangers re-energised him? I hope so. I've always said that Celtic need competition.
'Last year was slightly different from a European context in that they did so well in the Champions League. I think the league format helped them. It was really good and I think we were all excited about that and the way that it was different.
"Now they have to build on that. But I think when you're in this league and you're trying to perform in Europe and you're trying to improve the team, you do need other people to challenge you and the players can learn from that.
'So there are no issues around that. I think he'll enjoy that, actually, if it happens.
'I'm just happy that he's there at this point in time because he's building the squad. It's not a big build, maybe two out, two or three in.
'Get up and get over this first qualification for Champions League again and then build on what they did last year and carry it on.
'Listen, last year was a fantastic year for them. Take away the Scottish Cup final, which was disappointing, they won a Double and they did so well in Europe. You wouldn't even think about anything.'
Rodgers had promised there is no way he'd jump ship before the end of his current deal and he hasn't ruled out an extension.
But Bonner insisted Celtic fans should just enjoy having the boss around right now.
He said: 'The most important thing for Brendan is that he's still here and he made it very clear last year when that discussion happened that he was here and he was going to be here.
"That's important. That's important for continuity and so on and so forth. But there will be a time when he leaves – just like everybody else.
'That's when the board and everybody else has got to do their homework long before maybe that situation occurs.
'But at this moment in time, I think the club, the board, the fans, the majority of them at this stage I would think, are very happy that he's there and he's guiding the ship and he's in charge.
'I'm just happy he's here. You're at a stage in this world where things happen. This is a strange world. It's not like the old days where you have somebody there for maybe four, five, six years, ten years, in some cases longer.
"But now it's about turning around the people. So as long as he's here and he says he's totally committed for next year."
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