Scott Brown: I'll sign a new contract with Celtic - and I plan to play on for Scotland as well

Brown’s current deal with the Parkhead club, who he joined from Hibernian in a £4.4 million transfer back in 2007, expires at the end of the 2017/18 campaign.

But Brendan Rodgers, who has formed a strong bond with his captain since being appointed manager last summer, is keen for him to remain beyond that and has held talks with the player.

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The 32-year-old, who arrived in the Czech Republic yesterday afternoon with the rest of the Celtic squad ahead of their pre-season friendly with Slavia Prague here this evening, confirmed he will stay on.

However, the midfielder, who has been rewarded for his services to the club with a testimonial, will put further discussions about his future on hold until after the Scottish champions have completed their Champions League qualifying campaign.

“I’d love to stay,” he said. “Celtic know I’m not going to go nowhere. I would like to finish my career here, whether it is two, three or four years down the line. Playing in front of 60,000 at Celtic Park is the best feeling I’ve ever had.

“It is a good thing that the gaffer and I have got that relationship. We sat down and spoke. He asked me and I said I would be delighted to do it again. He said: ‘Well, we’ll sort something out’.

“But we will wait until we get through the qualifiers. We don’t want that situation rumbling on over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got to focus on getting to the Champions League.”

Meanwhile, Brown, who came out of international retirement last season to play for Scotland in their Russia 2018 qualifier against England at Wembley in November, has stated he now plans to play on for his country for the forseeable future.

Read more: Celtic skipper Scott Brown: No-one likes me but I don't care

The player decided not to represent his country in August last year after being dogged by niggling injuries and disappointing form. However, a complete break from the game last summer led to a dramatic improvement in his fitness and performances and he reversed his decision just two months later.

Initially, he made himself available on a game-by-game basis. But after doing well in Group F matches against Slovenia in March and England again last month he now intends to keep turning out for the national team as long as he is selected.

Asked what he was going to do with Scotland, he said: “Keep playing. I’m enjoying it. As long as I’m fit I’ll be fine. I spoke to Gordon (Scotland manager Strachan) and he said it was up to me. He said whatever my decision was, he’d back me. I want to maintain being in the squad and being in that environment.

“The gaffer (Rodgers) is brand new as well. He says it’s my decision. Whether I go on for this campaign or the next campaign, it’s a question of how long my legs can go on doing it for.

“I missed it. I went along to the Lithuania game and I wanted to be a part of the squad and a part of the team. I wanted to go out there and play for the jersey. But at the time I’d thought I was struggling to keep up with the rest. I needed that time off.

“I maybe jumped in a wee bit too early in saying I was retiring. But I’d done what was best for me. Now, for me to have come back and worked on my fitness, I’m probably back stronger than I’ve ever been.”