Why Tom Rogic has surely played his last game for Celtic

By David Walton

May 12, 2021

No, this gives me absolutely no pleasure to say it, but Tom Rogic has now surely played his last game as a Celtic player.

The Daily Record reported last night that Rogic will miss the final two games of the season. A reason for the absence wasn’t reported, but he was also missing from the squad that lost 4-1 to Rangers last weekend. John Kennedy would then state at his pre-match presser for tonight’s game vs St Johnstone that there were one or two injury concerns without naming them all [Celtic TV].

So, to sum up – Rogic’s season is over. And if we’re all being honest with ourselves, it was yet another poor one. He did manage 31 appearances this term, but only 13 of them came in the starting XI [Transfermarkt].

This year has followed another dismal individual campaign from Rogic last season. He only managed 24 appearances and again had recurring problems with his knee. The Wizard of Oz now hasn’t been a key player for Celtic since the 2017/18 season. That’s a problem.

Time for Tom Rogic and Celtic to cut ties

Rogic’s contract runs until 2023, meaning he has two years remaining and some security at that. But don’t expect him to use it all up, not when there’s still a chance Celtic can get some decent cash for him.

We came so close last summer. Rogic was close to leaving for Qatar in a £4million move before it fell through [Daily Mail]. If something similar comes up this summer, Celtic will surely be jumping all over it once again. Perhaps even more so given Rogic has just registered yet another poor year.

When a player hasn’t effectively been an influence in the last three campaign, you need to know when to cut your losses. Every time Rogic appears to be showing some signs of his old self, something else sets him back. Mainly injury, and that’s not something that’s ever going to stop.

Tom Rogic hasn’t been performing for a long time / (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

You also have to take into account we’re shaking things up this summer. A host of changes are set to come into effect with players entering the final years of their deals likely leaving for pastures new. Celtic must take the opportunity to clear out some of the deadwood too.

It pains us to say it, but that’s what Rogic has become. We can’t rely on him anymore, and Celtic have more than paid him back for some of the great moments he’s given us. He’s played a major part in 14 trophy wins during his Celtic career. Unfortunately, how many of those great moments have come in the last few years? Not many.

Celtic need to try and whip up the interest that was there in Tom last summer. He still has plenty to give the game, but his 10-year relationship with the Hoops needs to come to an end. And it likely will this summer.

In other news, are you looking for a reason to watch Celtic vs St Johnstone tonight? Here are 3.