Gordon Strachan has suggested Brendan Rodgers may already be approaching the final chapter of his second spell in charge of Celtic.

The former Hoops manager believes Rodgers could call time on his tenure at the end of the upcoming campaign, with no new deal currently in place.

Rodgers returned to Parkhead on a three-year contract in the summer of 2023, but has yet to extend his stay despite having held recent discussions with majority shareholder Dermot Desmond. With just 12 months left on that deal, the uncertainty surrounding his future has started to grow.

Strachan, who remains closely connected to the club’s powerbrokers, doesn’t believe Celtic should go out of their way to offer Rodgers a blank cheque to remain beyond 2025. He warned that the mental demands of the job might make a longer stint unrealistic.

He said: (OLBG), “I wouldn’t like a lifetime deal. Then no matter what happens you’ve got this deal. I don’t think that’s got to happen because both parties in this are not stupid.

“ They know that even Brendan, and if you look at most managers, they spend about three years and then for most Celtic managers, they would like to go on somewhere else.

“It’s not the club, the club’s fantastic. Sometimes the fact that you’re repeating yourself against the same teams week in, week out on plastic pitches.

“It’s not easy to keep momentum going. You’re literally saying the same thing every week, the media are asking the same questions every week, dealing with the same thing.

“The bonuses managers get at Celtic, you’ll get European games, which is a great bonus for any manager. But there’s a problem of keeping that momentum going over a three, four, or five years period.

“It’s not easy to motivate yourself week in, week out. Sometimes it’s nice to have a refresher and go somewhere else. It’s difficult for any Celtic manager to last more than three years.

“That is one of Celtic’s problems if Brendan’s only got a year to go, does he sign a new contract or does he not sign one.

“If he doesn’t sign one, then it becomes that kind of, is he going, is he staying? Which he could do without when you’re a Celtic manager, when you’re going for the league. I think there’ll be more pressure from Rangers this year.”

Rodgers’ reluctance to commit beyond 2025 will inevitably fuel speculation throughout the season, particularly if there’s any dip in domestic form or another European setback. The looming possibility of an exit could become a distraction unless resolved early.

Strachan’s view adds weight to the growing belief that this might be a defining year, not just for Celtic’s pursuit of silverware, but for setting the direction of the club’s long-term planning. A Rodgers exit would leave a significant void and prompt another period of transition.

The Irishman’s reputation and achievements give him strong leverage, but Strachan’s comments suggest Desmond and the board won’t be rushed into a deal unless both parties are fully committed.

With the pressure cranking up ahead of a new Premiership campaign and Rangers expected to be stronger, clarity over Rodgers’ position will be crucial if Celtic are to maintain focus and authority from the dugout.