‘Olivier is important, hopefully he’ll make it,’ Celtic’s Head Bhoy

TOM ROGIC is looking forward to being Celtic’s Head Bhoy against AEK Athens on Wednesday night.

No-one inside Celtic Park at the weekend was more surprised than the big Aussie star himself after he got himself on the end of yet another wonderful cross from Jonny Hayes to head Celtic into a well deserved early lead against Premiership newcomers Livingston.

Now Rogic is ready to put the Greeks to the sword on Wednesday – although he probably isn’t expecting to score from another header anytime soon! He’s clearly glad to be back in the groove at Celtic though.

“I feel good. The extra break helped me and I feel ready now to come in and help the team.

“Hopefully, I can play a part against AEK because we all know that making it through in the Champions League is a big ambition we have every year,” Rogic said.

”I think it does help that we have been over the course before. These occasions can be a bit nervy, but for us as players it is just about concentrating on our job.

“The Champions League is where we all want to play, but there is still a long road ahead of us.

“Its is all about the team progressing and keeping the momentum going,” Rogic continued.

He was like everyone else at Celtic Park concerned by the late injury to Olivier Ntcham who netted Celtic’s third from the penalty spot.The news though seems fairly positive that the French under 21 star will be fit enough to face AEK on Wednesday.

“Olivier, of course, is an important player for us. Hopefully, he’ll make it, but we have a great squad and there have been times, over the last few seasons, in particular where we have found a way to get through even when some of our important players have been out.

“We all hope he’s fine, but, if not, then there is a full squad here and we all be giving it 100 per cent to try and get a good result.

”Every game is important, home and away. We have started off strong at home and that has got us through and it would be good to do that again this year.

“I don’t know if it will help that we have already started our competitive season. We can only focus on ourselves and if we can get a good result to take over there then that would be ideal. But we know how hard it is going to be.

“These are really difficult games and we need to concentrate fully and try and play as well as we can.”

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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