Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Leigh Griffiths and Scott Brown are on the cusp of signing long-term deals with the Parkhead side.

And Rodgers has also revealed that he regards captain Brown as having a long-term role within the backroom staff at the club.

Griffiths’ deal is expected to be completed imminently while Brown is expected to follow.

“Yeah, I think it’s pretty close. It’s virtually agreed,” said Rodgers with regard to Griffiths’ contract. “I had a long chat with Leigh today and he’s very happy here.”

However, the Hoops boss hinted that the Scotland internationalist still has elements of his game that he needs to work on.

“He knows what he needs to do to improve and develop as a player,” said Rodgers. “I think 25 yards in he is as good as you’ll get in terms of a goalscorer. But the game has moved on.

“It’s not just about goals now for strikers. It’s about how they work, how they press.They’ve got to be able to run forward and run back. He is a player I always want to have here because he has that goalscoring threat.

“He can’t play every game, of course. But he is a player you know can get a goal. So, yeah, I think we are nearly there on that and pretty soon I hope it can be announced and be done, which is great news for him and great news for Celtic.”

And while Brown is reluctant to hang up his boots just yet, Rodgers will open the door to a coaching role at the club when the time comes for the midfielder to call time on his playing career.

“I have already spoken to him on that,” explained the Celtic manager. “You keep playing as long as you can and then one day the door shuts on you in terms of your playing career and that’s it.

“And when that time comes someone like him, with his experience and qualities can do it. If it’s something he wants to do, because not every player does after preparing and playing football from the age of seven to their mid to late 30s.

“They might just want a bit of time away from football. But with Browny that it’s something I have spoken to him about down the line and it’s something he will maybe want to take up.

“But at the minute? He’s still concentrating on his football. His authority and the way he plays the game is outstanding for us. So that’s his concentration at the minute

“He has been magnificent in my time here.

“He is still fit and if we manage him over these next few years and keep the strength in his legs then he has a great tactical brain.

“So he is someone I am very keen to keep as well. I’m sure that will get done within the next few weeks.”