It hasn’t been spoken about a great deal, but Ange Postecoglou picked Tom Rogic to start for Celtic in the weekend’s shellacking of Dundee.
A fine job he did, too. The Australian dovetailed to excellent effect with Callum McGregor and David Turnbull, scoring one of his own as well. While it was a bit of a surprise to see him there ahead of Ismaila Soro, he provides Ange Postecoglou with another option.
An option he knows well, granted.
A Socceroo, Rogic has worked with Ange Postecoglou in the past. As such, he’s a fan. When Postecoglou was hired as Celtic boss, the players’ group chat turned to Rogic, who had nothing but glowing praise for the manager [Sun].
That doesn’t mean, though, that a start is guaranteed for Rogic. Far from it, but Postecoglou remains determined he’s going to get the absolute best out of his squad. That includes a mercurial talent like the 2016 Scottish Cup final hero.
Postecoglou said [Scotsman]:
“I obviously know Tommy really well.
“He had a tough year last year and a bit of an interrupted pre-season as well. He wasn’t really able to join the group until the last few weeks. But because I know him really well I didn’t want to throw him in straight away.
“He’s one I know we’ll need to build slowly. He’s still got the quality – you could see it in training and he was great on Sunday. It wasn’t just on the ball. He also worked hard defensively if we needed him. Tommy and David [Turnbull] had to work hard defensively because we couldn’t leave Callum [McGregor] isolated.”
Ange Postecoglou: Tom Rogic is a “perfect fit”
Postecoglou continued [Scotsman]:
“But it is the same with Tommy as it is with all of the players. It’s my job to get the best out of them and help them realise their potential. Knowing him well doesn’t make it any easier or more of a challenge than for any other player.
“It’s about the collective for me. I know Tom can create, and what he brings to the table. He’s a perfect fit for the kind of football I want to play. If he keeps working hard, as he has been, then I’m sure he’ll enjoy it.”
For one thing, people like myself had written Tom Rogic off in the past. Granted, it was with a very heavy heart. Reports suggested the Australian international had been looking to leave before Postecoglou arrived. The momentum, after last season, seemed to be with Rogic leaving.
However, if a manager can get the best out of him, we know just how good he is. While not a whiner, or a difficult player to manage, he seems the type who needs specific instructions and guidance to play to his full capacity. Neil Lennon never really seemed to get the best from him, where Rodgers and – so far – Ange Postecoglou have got a song out of Tom Rogic.
If he’s on it, he’s an excellent squad option at the very least. Given how extensive the Celtic rebuild seemed only weeks ago, that’s a significant crumb of comfort.
Additionally, given his relationship with the fans, it would’ve been sad to see Rogic slip out the door one summer’s day. Instead, he’s getting another chance under a manager who knows him.
Can he be a game-winner once more? You wouldn’t bet against it.
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