Chris Sutton has questioned whether Brendan Rodgers will extend his stay at Celtic beyond the upcoming season, with the Irishman soon to enter the final 12 months of his current deal. Rodgers returned to the club on a three-year contract in 2023, but Sutton believes the manager’s long-term intentions remain unclear.

Rodgers’ initial spell at the Hoops ended abruptly in 2019 when he left mid-season for Leicester City. While his second stint has delivered two league and cup doubles, questions around his commitment have surfaced again with no extension yet agreed.

The lack of clarity is starting to draw attention, particularly as Celtic prepare for a season with Champions League qualifiers in August. With stability at the top often vital to success, there’s growing interest in whether the Hoops will move to tie Rodgers down beyond next summer.

Sutton said: (Sky Sports), “I think from a supporter’s perspective, yeah, they’d like to see that, but I think we’ll see. I think we’ll see this one just really rumble on.

“Brendan came back, signed a three-year contract, talked about seeing it through, and then who knows—at the end of the season, he may think, you know, three years is enough.

“I’m sure there’ll be clubs who would want Brendan Rodgers to manage their particular club, whether it’s down south again or abroad.

“But I do think it’s a wait-and-see one, but I take your point—for the stability of Celtic moving forward. I think every Celtic supporter would like to see Brendan nailed down for another couple of years, but I suspect that’s not going to happen.”

Rodgers’ second season back in charge was largely positive, delivering another league and cup double and showing clear progress in Europe by guiding Celtic into the Champions League knockout play-offs.

However, Sutton’s comments highlight the growing sense that a long-term plan is still lacking. The months ahead could prove crucial, not only for shaping summer recruitment but also for the message it sends throughout the dressing room.

With pre-season just weeks away, the board faces a decision. Do they seek early assurance from Rodgers or accept the risk of entering the season with speculation hanging over the manager?

Supporters will want clarity sooner rather than later. The memories of Rodgers’ abrupt exit in 2019 haven’t faded, and no one will be keen to see a repeat.

As things stand, the situation looks set to develop in the background, with Sutton rightly describing it as something that could rumble on well into the new season.