Tom Rogic has so far endured a stop start season but he looks like being the player Neil Lennon will look to tomorrow night to help Celtic kick on in Europe by sealing qualification to the last 16 in the Europa League.
The opportunity that Ryan Christie’s suspension brings also allows Rogic to showcase his ability to play a part in Neil Lennon’s side pushing for another yet another treble.
And the news that Olivier Ntcham and Scott Brown are major doubts means that Rogic and Nir Bitton are both likely to be included in the starting eleven.
Tom Rogic is one of Celtic’s best players. That statement is a matter of fact, his ability with the ball at his feet is up there alongside Odsonne Edouard. Rogic is a mercurial talent, sometimes regarded as a luxury player but we are lucky to have him at Celtic. This season, much like the second half of last season, Rogic has struggled for fitness. Injuries have played a big part in slowing his progress with Celtic as with every good six months comes a period of time out the side. These injury problems all date back to his ill-fated appearance in the Asia Cup for Australia at the start of last year.
Ryan Christie has emerged as someone to challenge Rogic’s role at Celtic. That attacking midfielder slot that Rogic excels in. Christie’s direct nature has paid dividends to Neil Lennon with the midfielder being a contender for player of the year definitely. He possesses more energy and pace than the Australian and has outperformed his teammate this year.
With that in mind, we need to look to tomorrow night. Tom Rogic is likely to come in for the suspended Christie with Callum McGregor occupying the midfield berth with Nir Bitton should Scott Brown and Olivier Ntcham – as seems likely – remain out with knocks. Sunday gave Rogic the chance to get up to speed with some minutes under his belt apart from the odd cameo since he returned to full fitness. Across all competitions he’s made just 18 appearances, starting five league games, and has scored 2 and assisted 4 across all competitions.
Christie meanwhile has played 40 games, scored 18 and assisted 16 proving to be an integral part of Celtic’s team. Rogic will need to relocate that kind of return in order to justify reclaiming his spot from Christie and now is his chance.
Olivier Ntcham performed when called upon and Neil Lennon managed to shoehorn him into his starting XI. Rogic now needs to prove that he is worth accommodating, especially given the vast qualities we know him to possess.
Whilst players like Nir Bitton and Jonny Hayes are contented with playing their part for the team when required, Rogic will be chomping at the bit to get himself back to the levels that both he, his colleagues, the supporters and Celtic’s rivals know he can reach. A man with a taste for big goals in big games, he is exactly what we need as the games come thick and fast.
A fully fit Tom Rogic is something to make defences shake, especially given the intelligence that he possesses on the ball. His pass to Edouard in the victory at Hamilton proves that, he can operate on another wavelength to most.
The Celtic team tomorrow evening could look something like this.
Forster
Simunovic, Jullien, Ajer
Forrest, McGregor, Bitton, Rogic, Taylor
Edouard, Griffiths.
Even with the loss of Christie through suspension and both Brown and Ntcham through injury, that should be strong enough to see off Copenhagen. And if James Forrest doesn’t make it, Jeremie Frimpong fits into the side easily enough at right wing back.
But it could be a night when that big Australian genius shines under the Disco Lights and sends Celtic into the last 16 of the Europa League. Then it really gets exciting.
Lubo98
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