Ange Postecoglou’s appointment as Celtic manager must have delighted Tom Rogic who over the past few seasons has seen his match time decrease and perhaps before his former national team manager got the job, was thinking that his own time wearing the Hoops was drawing to a close.
Rogic has struggled for fitness with a troublesome knee problem affecting his momentum and his match-fitness, and yesterday at the fan media conference the New Celtic manager addresses these issues while singing the praises of the midfielder who he knows has created some very special moments for Celtic during his time at the club.
“Obviously I know Tommy very well and I had him in the national team when I was national team manager,” Ange said.
“He’s an extremely talented player and he’s one of those players I think people are happy to pay to watch, because he can turn some ordinary moments into something special.
Rogic Scores the Winner in the 2017 Scottish Cup Final
“My understanding is he’s had some problems, particularly with his body, over the last period. I think that’s probably been his biggest challenge.
“Even when I had him in the national team, I was consistently trying to get him to a certain level from his body’s point of view.
“I haven’t had a good chat with him yet so I’ll certainly be doing that with him and the rest of the players. Does he fit into the style of football I want to play? Absolutely.
“Tommy knows me better than anyone in that dressing room right now and he knows that I treat everybody the same.
“I set us off in a certain direction and the ones who want to be part of that are part of that, and the ones who maybe can’t be or don’t want to be will fall by the wayside. He’s certainly someone I’m looking forward to working with again.
“I’m hoping we can get him fit and playing the football I know he’s shown here at different times, and I know he can show in my style of football because he’s already done it with the national team.”
There was a wee message in that answer for those who don’t want to play for Celtic. If that’s the case then they are unlikely to interest Postecoglou. As for Tom Rogic, his ‘body’ issues will need to be assessed and addressed and if this can be sorted then he’s great asset to have back in the squad.
