TOSH McKinlay, the former Celtic and Scotland left back, believes securing the services of Emilio Izaguirre on a new contract will be a huge positive for the Scottish champions both on and off the park.

Izaguirre, the Honduran who was named PFA Scotland and SFWA Player of the Year back in 2011, has lost his place in the Celtic first team to Kieran Tierney in the past two seasons. However, the 31-year-old, who will fly out of Glasgow with the rest of the Celtic squad today for pre-season training in Austria, has indicated he is keen to commit his future to the Parkhead club.

Rodgers has also told the defender he is keen for him to remain in Glasgow and the popular player has admitted he would like to sign a three-year extension to his current agreement.

McKinlay welcomed his comments and predicted it would be a massive boost for Celtic if the player they signed from Motagua in Honduras for just £650,000 back in 2010 stays.

“Kieran has obviously been in fantastic form in his position,” he said. “But Emilio has proved over the past seasons that he is a top player as well.

“As a player and as a person he is a top man to have around the club.”