Brendan Rodgers is hopeful Greg Taylor will commit his future to Celtic.
The full-back, 27, is out of contract in the summer but Rodgers is keen to see the Scotland internationalist pen a new deal in Glasgow.
Taylor is free to discuss a pre-contract transfer from January ahead of his deal running out at the end of the season.
However, Rodgers is keeping his fingers crossed that club chiefs can agree a new contract with Taylor's representatives.
The Celtic manager, though, is acutely aware that Taylor will have to carefully consider his next deal as he admitted it could be one of his last major contracts.
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Rodgers said: “I would hope so. I think I've said it a number of times, he's so important for our squad, Greg. Because when you want to build a squad, it's never just about starters. It's about the whole squad and you want to adapt to that.
"So he's a player that I've really enjoyed working with so much on and off the pitch. And I've said it before and I repeat, I really want him to stay. So I'm hoping that between the club and his representatives, we can organise a deal.
"But I also understand he's 27 now, this will be one of the last big contracts of his career. So he has to make sure that everything is right. But what I do know is, I really want him to be here.
"I love working with him. I really enjoy the aspect of seeing him every day because he's up for every training session. And for me, he's really important for us.”
