Brown set for new deal and benefit bonus

SCOTT BROWN is poised to sign a new contract to remain captain of Celtic — and land a lucrative testimonial game as part of the deal. Hailed by Brendan Rodgers yesterday as one of the greatest skippers in the club’s history, the 32-year-old midfielder has less than a year to run on his current agreement. But the manager insists he wants Brown at Celtic for ‘a few years yet’ and has already broached the subject of an extension. ‘He’s someone I want here while I’m here, that’s for sure,’ said Rodgers. ‘Scott is a remarkable player who will go down as one of the greatest captains in the history of this club. He has done it over the course of ten

years here — but what he did last season puts him alongside the greatest captains. He’s still hungry and driven to keep winning and performing. ‘You see the level he’s at. He’s turned 32 but is coming into an exciting period in his career. ‘He’s someone I’ll be looking to do something with. We’ve talked about it a few times. ‘It’s something we’ll look at. He’ll be around for another few years yet.’ Brown (modelling Celtic’s new away strip, right) will also be granted a testimonial as a reward for his ten years’ service to Celtic, Rodgers admitting: ‘I’m sure that will be a part of the negotiations. ‘To play for a club like Celtic for that length of time, and to survive with that intensity and the pressures on you — as he has done for those number of years — is remarkable. ‘That will all come into it. He has been a truly inspirational, brilliant player, as well as the club captain.’ Rodgers, meanwhile, remains hopeful of landing one more ‘quality’ signing before the forthcoming Champions League qualifier with Linfield or La Fiorita of San Marino. In the market for a defender and creative midfielder, he admitted: ‘We hope we can get one more in. I didn’t think the group needed surgery. ‘We didn’t need to go out and get a whole raft of players — and the club didn’t need that. ‘We got the best player outside of Celtic in Jonny Hayes. ‘He was the one player I always had in the back of my mind could hurt us. Knowing Jonny as a kid, I knew the impact he could have. ‘With Patrick Roberts going back to Manchester City, I needed to have Scotty (Sinclair), James (Forrest), one other, and if something opens up later on for Pat to come back or someone else to come in, then fine. ‘I’m probably looking at one other to come in. I only want to bring in quality. ‘I can go on bringing in a lot of players, but I don’t need them. ‘I want to develop these players more this year and bring in a few and then develop some of the young players like Michael Johnston or Anthony Ralston.’