Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has intimated that he would like to tie up Scott Bain on a long-term contract after the goalkeeper has forced himself to the front of the queue at the club.

Brought in for emergency cover following a knee injury sustained by Craig Gordon, Bain has seized his chance to make an impression.

Handed the gloves for the 3-2 win over Rangers at Ibrox, a win that effectively cemented the league title, Bain has kept both his cool and his place. The likelihood is that he will earn himself a permanent deal at Celtic as Rodgers hinted at.

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“I’ve spoken to Scott at length about the opportunity he could have here and, again, he’s a good example of a player other teams might look at and think he’s too small,” said the Celtic manager. “But for me, in terms of how we work, he’s absolutely perfect.

“His first game for us at Ibrox was a wonderful demonstration of personality, technique, composure under pressure plus he obviously makes saves. His profile is well suited to being here.

He’d already done well at Dundee but, for whatever reason, he found himself out of the team and the squad. He’s gone to Hibs, where Neil thought he was a good signing in spite of the fact he already had a well-established goalkeeper.

“We’ve been able to bring him here, though, and that’s been absolutely brilliant for us – and for him as well. He’s a very grounded personality - I really can’t imagine ever falling out with him, put it that way.”

And Rodgers also believes that the player’s unorthodox journey to where he is now has helped him appreciate exactly what he has.

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“If you look at his story, it’s fabulous; from working on a building site to this,” he said. “I look at him and he’s a great age – he’s played over 200 games, he’s done the dirty work and it hasn’t always been easy for him and, when players get an opportunity after going through those times, they really want to grasp it.

“He’s come here, into a facility where he can improve – he can also look after his diet, which is important. He has no commitments to anything else, no relationship and no children so he can concentrate on his football and developing as a player. And how we want him to play is compatible with his strengths.

“These last couple of games have shown our supporters that, goodness me, he’s a really good ‘keeper. He’s a joy to work with, always smiling and, while he has great humility, he’s also not intimidated in any way. I’ve been delighted for him.”

Bain turned up on the final night of the transfer window still in his Hibs training kit which Rodgers joked about.

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“When you think about it, to turn up and sign for a club while wearing another club’s tracksuit – when I saw that I thought: ‘Well, it could have been plasterboards and a trowel…’” he smiled.

“Listen, I worked in a bloody warehouse for four-and-a-half years and it made me – it makes you appreciate the life you’re needing now. So I know all about that journey and it’s great that it’s happened to him now. Sometimes it can happen to guys at 32 or 33 and they’re left with that ‘If only…’ thing but this is a chance that he’s not only been given but he’s taken it as well.”

With Gordon back on the training ground, Rodgers will have a decision to make over his first choice keeper. Not that he is overly concerned by the call.

“I don’t need to worry about that now,” he shrugged. “Scott has come in and done exceptionally well. Craig is an outstanding goalkeeper. His time line was to be back in April and then that is the decisions you make as a manager. Craig has been brilliant for me in my time as a manager, no doubt about that, but he’ll be back at some point in April. He is out on the field now doing some work with Stevie Woods and soon we will have all our goalkeepers in contention. Young Conor Hazard is also doing great out at Falkirk. He is a big one for the future so it looks very healthy.”