Tom Rogic’s big improvement under Ange that his Celtic career was crying out for

Add as preferred source on Google

When we’ve been discussing the players who impressed for Celtic at Livingston on Sunday, it feels as though Tom Rogic has been left out.

Rogic didn’t get on the scoresheet or bag an assist. However, what he did show was terrific strength to hold onto the ball when under pressure at the Tony Macaroni Arena. And against one of the most physical sides in the league too whilst playing on a plastic surface.

Indeed, Tom was at his peak level on Sunday, lasting 75 minutes on the artificial turf whilst being kicked all over the pitch. Rogic was fouled 3 times in the game, but that’s not including the free-kicks he didn’t get despite being given some rough treatment from the hosts.

In recent years, the treatment he received at the hands of Livi would’ve led to him picking up a painful injury knock. After all, he was part of 19 ground duels on Sunday [Fotmob].

Yet every time Rogic took a rough tackle or a kick, he was right back up on his feet and ready to go again. He was aggressive in his own right, and wasn’t bundled off the ball as easily as we’ve seen in the past.

After what was a struggling start to 2022 as he dropped his form, he once again looks back to his best after a powerful cameo against St Mirren was followed by a determined display on Sunday. And this improvement has stemmed from the fact the opposition can’t just nudge Tom off the ball anymore. He’s much more physical and is now as powerful as his stature would suggest he is.

Tom Rogic looked back to his best against Livingston

That’s why the Celtic supporters have been raving about the Aussie since the weekend. It can’t be ignored just how influential he was at Livingston in a game where we desperately needed efficient ball-carriers.

It wasn’t so long ago that we would shiver at the though of Rogic playing for 75 minutes on a plastic pitch. That he proved to be so comfortable against Livingston shows how much he’s come on under Ange physically.

It’s the improvement his Celtic career needed. He would always be plagued with the tag of being injury-prone even when he was at his best. This season, however, Tom has only missed 4 games through a hamstring knock back in November. Since then, he’s been injury free and ready to go.

Granted, nobody is guaranteed minutes in this Celtic team. But even despite occasionally being on the bench as sub at times, Tom still has 5 goals and 10 assists to his name this term [Transfermarkt]. He’s still absolutely flying

He’s definitely improved under Ange, no question about it. After all, last term he only managed 2 goals and 5 assists whilst struggling for regular starts.

His situation has gotten much better under his countryman. And his performance against Livingston suggested we’re about to see Tom back to his best once more. Brilliant news for all Celtic fans in truth.

In other news, Video: Class Anthony Ralston celebration footage captured by Celtic TV