The Tom Rogic Celtic message that highlights dressing-room unity

By David Walton

April 28, 2022

Tom Rogic used his platform as PFA Player of the Year nominee to highlight his Celtic teammates as his remarks outlined the dressing-room unity at Parkhead.

Rogic is one of 4 players voted by his colleagues to have been the top performing star in the Premiership this term. Callum McGregor has also been nominated along with Hearts’ Craig Gordon and Ross County attacker Regan Charles-Cook.

Rogic has had a fine renaissance under Ange Postecoglou this season, making 46 appearances and bagging 16 direct goal contributions [Transfermarkt]. He’s been a key cog for Celtic’s attack this season as title success beckons.

However, instead of talk up his own achievements, Rogic stated that he and McGregor know that there are “any number” of Celtic players who would’ve been worthy of a nomination.

As quoted by the Scottish Sun, the Australian said: “It’s nice to have that recognition from your fellow professionals. But Callum and I are well aware that individual recognition comes off the back of the group.

“I dare say a good number of our boys could have been in this position we are in. It could be any number of players who are here for this award.

“It’s been a collective effort that has brought us some success and, hopefully, some more in the future.”

Which other Celtic stars could’ve made the list?

There are certainly plenty of candidates who will feel they could’ve plausibly made the shortlist. Of course, given that the voting is done via the rest of the players, it will all likely come down to personal experience.

Many could simply be voting for the player they had the toughest time against. That could explain why Tom is in over some of the other standout Celtic stars this year.

Even so, the major omission here has to be Cameron Carter-Vickers. He’s been an absolute rock but in a Celtic backline that has been so unfairly criticised at times this season. You wonder whether that’s played a part in his particular absence here. Chris Sutton certainly wasn’t impressed.

Joe Hart, meanwhile, has come in and bagged 25 clean sheets this season [Transfermarkt]. A superb return given the pressure he was under to solve our goalkeeping issues. He’s another that would’ve been a plausible contender.

And of course, Kyogo Furuhashi has had a sensational debut campaign in Scotland. His 3-month injury absence most probably stopped him from winning this outright nevermind just being on the shortlist.

Here’s hoping Callum or Tom manage to take the award. Credit to all 4 players who were voted through however. You can’t argue with Gordon or Charles-Cook’s respective inclusions. But here’s hoping the trophy comes back to Parkhead regardless.

In other news, Swedish report: Celtic could land Mohanad Jeahze for as little as £1.6m