Ange Postecoglou speaks as Celtic announce Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton departure

By Lewis Laird

May 13, 2022

Celtic have this morning announced that first-team duo Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic will be leaving the club this summer.

Both players have been long-term features at the club, having spent almost 10-years at Parkhead under several different managers.

However, the 2020/21 campaign will be their last in the green and white Hoops, with Bitton and Rogic choosing to seek ‘different challenges’ going forward.

In a statement released on the Celtic website, Ange Postecoglou spoke about the duo’s decision to move on at the end of the campaign, admitting his sadness at seeing the experienced faces departing the club.

The Celtic boss was full of praise for both Bitton and Rogic, respecting their decision to head elsewhere, having played a part in the club’s success over the past decade.

“While we are very sad to see both Tom and Nir leave the club, we totally respect their decisions in wanting to seek a different challenge in football, having both played their part in our success for the past decade. 

“They have certainly made such a tremendous contribution to Celtic over such a long and successful period for the club, and I understand that in their minds, the time is right to move on.

“I am sure they will leave with the sincere best wishes of our supporters, having given so much of themselves to Celtic.

“From a personal perspective, as well as being very talented players, both Tom and Nir are top guys who have supported me brilliantly this year, in my first season – and again played a big role in this season’s success.

“It is fitting that they leave Celtic as champions.

“Of course, we will miss them, but we wish both Tom and Nir and their families great success in everything they do.”

Both players have enjoyed great success over their time in Glasgow, picking up a combined total of 34 trophies during their nine years of service in Glasgow.

During that time, they also played their part in an invincible season and a historic quadruple treble, with Rogic scoring arguably one of the most iconic goals in modern Celtic history in the 2-1 Scottish Cup final win over Aberdeen.

It will be sad to see the experienced duo say their goodbyes at Celtic Park tomorrow afternoon, bringing their spell at the club to an end on trophy day against Motherwell.

However, they will go with all the fan’s best wishes, and what better way for a send-off than lifting the Premiership trophy one last time.

In other news, Report: Ange Postecoglou could have joined another big Euro club days before Celtic interest.