Stuart Armstrong can be a future Celtic skipper says John Kennedy

The 25-year-old has one year still remaining on his current deal but negotiations to sign a long-term contract at the club have been ongoing for the last few months.

Brendan Rodgers stated after the Scottish Cup final on Saturday afternoon that he expected the deal would be completed imminently.

And Kennedy believes that Celtic is the best place for the former Dundee United midfielder to develop.

Read more: Scott Sinclair: Celtic can win the treble again next season

“Stuart loves his time here and is thoroughly enjoying being where he is at the moment and from speaking to Stuart, he wants to be here,” said Kennedy. “It’s just a case of getting things ironed out contractually.

“Stuart is playing the best football of his life, he’s broke into the international scene, he’s just won three trophies, so I think he sees being here is a good thing for him. You know you go somewhere else and it might not work out so well.

“He’s a clever boy, he’s intelligent, he;s making all the right noises in terms of where he wants to play his football, so lets hope we get that sorted sooner rather than later.

“He’s an important player for us. The manager has spoken to him, everyone has, he’s made a big impact this season in terms of what he’s done on the pitch but off the pitch he is a terrific character and the type of personality you want to have at your club.

“The manager has given him all the praise, all the accolades he’s had all season has been terrific but we want ti make sure contractually we’ve got him tied down and he can concentrate on his football again rather than worrying about what’s going on off the pitch.”

Armstrong has deputised as captain in the absence of either Scott Brown or Mikael Lustig this season, something that could develop into a more permanent arrangement.

Read more: Scott Sinclair: Celtic can win the treble again next season

“Yes potentially,” said Kennedy. “The manager has given him the opportunity to do that at times this season. He’s that type, when he steps on the training pitch he a bit like Scott Brown, a different type in terms of how he applies himself, but he’s a super professional, very intelligent and the more time he spends here he gets a greater understanding of what this club is about.

“When you become captain of this club it’s important you understand that, the expectation of the fans, the history of the club and the actual feeling you get here. It’s very special.

“He is now getting to that point, he’s had a few seasons and lets hope he can have a few more and you never know what will happen in the future with him.”

There will always be a pull from the English top flight and Championshio given the financial rewards on offer.

But Kennedy is well aware that there are personal ambitions that can be fulfilled at Celtic.

“Obviously financially there is big incentives moving to England but the most important thing in football, outwit that, is happiness,” said Kennedy.

“All of our players are in a terrific place, they all really enjoy coming into work every day, going in playing in front of 60,000 fans who are the best in the world and you go and win trophies.

“When you’re in your football career the three things you want are happiness, in a good place and winning things and our players are enjoying that at the moment.

“It’s important we keep this group together, we keep moving forward and the morale and happiness within the group has been great all season.”

Read more: Scott Sinclair: Celtic can win the treble again next season

Kieran Tierney, meanwhile, is also to report back willing and ready for duty. The teenager has insisted that he is fit to play for Scotland against England next Saturday at Hampden and Kennedy has revealed that the left-back is on the road to recovery.

Tierney was caught by the arm of Jayden Stockley in the Cup Final, leaving him bloodied and in need of hospital treatment.

“Kieran’s in Spain, so there can’t be much wrong with him,” smiled Kennedy. “He’s over there enjoying a short break before he meets up with Scotland.

“He obviously picked up an injury in his mouth, jaw area but, by all accounts, he’s probably going to be good to go for the England game.

“As long as the medical team give him the go-ahead ahead, ask him to put on a gum shield of whatever he’ll be good to play. He’ll probably go and play with a muzzle on if you ask him.

“I think what they did in the hospital after the game they were pretty happy with and things are looking good and starting to heal.

“The type of character Kieran is he won’t miss anything, so if he gets the green light to go he’ll be there.

“It was something to do with his palate.

“The last I heard during the game was he’d been taking to hospital and then before I knew it he was climbing the stairs at Hampden to pick up the trophy, which was very fitting because he’s someone that’s watched Celtic his whole life, is a big part of this club so to miss that would have been a real blow.

“But he told the doctors whatever you’re doing, get it fixed and get me back to Hampden in time to lift the trophy, so that was nice to see.”