TOM ROGIC is out for six weeks and will need an operation on his knee, according to Brendan Rodgers, as we reported yesterday afternoon. The Australian had suffered an injury to his hand while representing his country at the Asian Cup and Celtic sent him to London to get that checked out. When he was there the club also asked for a check on his knee – which he also hurt playing in the UAE – and while his hand was fine, the knee requires surgery, so it’s a six week lay-off for the big Aussie.
“Tom’s injury is a big blow. It’s very disappointing,” Brendan said at yesterday’s Media Conference.
“We missed him when he was at the Asian Cup with Australia and now he will miss another six weeks.
“He injured his hand at the Asian Cup and also felt his knee sore after landing awkwardly.
“We had a plan for him to go to London for a scan, to make sure his hand didn’t need an op.
“When he was down there on Thursday we also got a scan on his knee.
“It ended up that his hand was OK, but his knee wasn’t!
“He’s done his lateral meniscus, so he needs an operation next week.
“It’s not what we expected, but that’s the way football works.”
The loss of Rogic is a major blow but there was the possibility that Dedryck Boyata will be able to play this month, amid fears that he would be missing for 4 weeks. With Filip Benkovic out for a month or two, that would be the last thing that Celtic needs, particularly with the sizeable challenge of Valencia in the Europa League approaching.
Brendan was more up-beat on Boyata than expected. The defender hasn’t played since the Scottish Cup win over Airdrie last month and the rumour was that he’d miss the Europa league games, meaning that Celtic would be without both first pick central defenders and would instead have to rely on Kristoffer Ajer and Jozo Simunovic – if he stays fit.
Speaking at yesterday’s media conference about Boyata’s progress Brendan reckoned he’s got a chance after all of playing this month.
“The plan, all being well with the last couple of days of rehab, is for him to train with the reserves this weekend.
“I haven’t got a date on Dedryck’s return.
“He will hopefully train with the first team next week,” Brendan said.
Kieran Tierney is scheduled to resume training shortly and Olivier Ntcham, who has been back in France working on his fitness, is almost ready to return to training.
“Olivier went to Clarefontaine and did some good work out there. He’s back here on Monday and we will assess it from our side. Hopefully he will be ready to train on Tuesday.”
Also on The Celtic Star…
Jerry the Pacemaker – ‘He’s very quick,’ says Brendan ‘he is dynamic and he gives us flexibility’
The Valencia file (Part 3) – McGrory of Valencia and the end of an era
