The fact that Ryan Christie will miss Celtic’s first three games of 2020 wasn’t exactly good news. However, it could pave the way for some extra motivation for Tom Rogic to get his place back in the team.
When news of Christie’s punishment, for a soft grapple with Alfredo Morelos, reached us on Monday evening, there was an overall frustration amongst the Celtic support. But it was hardly time for panic stations.
Had the suspension been dished out to Odsonne Edouard, Scott Brown or Christopher Jullien then, yeah, we’d be pretty worried. But Christie’s position is one where we have a number of other options. And Rogic is the one who must surely be licking his lips.
We won’t insinuate that the Aussie would’ve been pleased to see his fellow attacker cited. But surely he’s looking at the scenario as a real chance to force his way back into Neil Lennon’s first-team, after a barren couple of years.
Rogic still has something different to offer
Rogic should look at the first three games of the year as a massive opportunity to reinvent himself. He will get a fortnight in Dubai to show Lennon that he’s ready to stake a claim for a place. Christie’s suspension, and injury, then means that he will be in the reckoning for a start at Firhill in our Scottish Cup derby later this month.
Perform well there and opportunities against Kilmarnock and Ross County could soon follow. With games virtually ever four days for the following two months, Lennon will have to freshen up his squad from time to time. Rogic could really benefit as a result.
It’s easy to forget that he was arguably our best attacking player just two years ago. That talent hasn’t completely vanished in the intervening period. It’s time for Tom Rogic to take 2020 as a fresh start and reignite his Celtic career.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
