Former Australian international Matt McKay reckons the coming season could be a big one for Tom Rogic at Celtic under new manager Ange Postecoglou.
Postecoglou is reported to have verbally agreed on personal terms with Celtic ahead of being officially appointed this week.
The Greek-Australian obviously knows Rogic very well having been his manager with the Socceroos.
McKay reckons that, along with the midfielder’s focus on Celtic, bodes well for next season.
Speaking to The Scottish Mail on Sunday [06/06 print edition, page 143], he said: “Tom is an exceptional player but he has been in and out over the past year. He has been at Celtic a long time now. We always thought he would kick on and go somewhere else but he has stuck it out.
“It’s not a bad thing for him that Ange is coming in — he obviously knows Tom, so that will be good for him.
“With the national team, Tom played as a 10. More central, didn’t really play wide. I don’t know how Ange will play. But at least he has an idea of Tom, knows what he can and can’t do. At 28, he is at a great age, the peak age, is a very good player and it would be good to see him stay fit for a whole season.”
Rogic recently took the decision not to join up with the Australia national team, prioritising his Celtic career, so clearly the attacking midfielder thinks he can still do a job for the Bhoys.
He wants to perform in the upcoming European qualifiers.
McKay continued: “It’s so difficult being a Socceroos player. The travel, playing through Asia, it’s really difficult. The national team is in Kuwait now playing four games, so it’s not a bad one for him to miss.
“He didn’t play towards the end of last season and it’s important that he gets his fitness right. Do that, and Tom might just have a barnstorming year.”
I have to be honest, I’ve given up on Rogic a little bit. He was once my favourite player in the entire squad. These days though I have no trust in his ability to perform.
If Postecoglou can bring back the best of The Wizard of Oz, it’d be a brilliant bonus of his appointment.
In other news, title day drama for Celtic FC Women as self-isolation wreaks havoc with squad.
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