Tom Rogic was outstanding, magical even, in the first half at Easter Road in midweek, on the kind of form that makes him on his day the best player in Scottish football. If Rogic could do that every week…what a player he would be!
Yesterday Ange Postecoglou provided an update in the hamstring strain and it looks like his fellow Australian will be out until after the international break so will miss to day’s home match against Livingston – pay-back time – then the trips to Hungary to play Ferencvaros and Den’s Park to play Dundee.
An the Celtic manager, who has been playing with two number 10s this season with Tom Rogic and David Turnbull reckons this injury is a sign that he needs cover for these creative midfield positions come the January transfer window. Let the speculation begin!
“It’s a blow to lose Tommy as he’s been outstanding but short-term, I think we can find solutions. Callum McGregor has played played there before, Jota has the capabilities and we have a couple more options,” Ange told his media conference, watch below.
“Long-term, I think it’s an area of the park where we probably need reinforcements and hopefully we can do that in January.
“We got Rogic’s hamstring scanned, and it looks like he will be out for around two to three weeks. That rules him out of the next three games but hopefully the rehab goes well.
“If it does then he will be ready for the resumption after the international break. We have got the semi-final when we return so it would be ideal if he could be back for that.
“The flip side of the injury is that Rogic has played a lot of football this season already, more than he has in recent years. While we don’t want him to get injured, it’s probably not a bad thing that he has a rest. Tommy and David Turnbull have carried a lot of the workload.”
And while Rogic is now going to have to sit out the next three games, his best mate James Forrest is set to return after a frustrating injury-hit start under the new manager. “James has trained well and is available for Livingston. If it’s a no, he will definitely be involved on Thursday,” Ange said at yesterday’s mainstream media conference, suggesting a place on the bench for the Jamesy.
And there’s the prospect of Christopher Jullien returning after the international break too. “We know Chris will be available soon, and he will certainly help us,” Ange said.
Celtic lost 1-0 to Livingston at the Tony Macaroni earlier in the season but today the game is at Celtic Park and on grass. A win takes Celtic to the top of the league, and piles the pressure on theRangers who play at Fir Park tomorrow. Pay-back time and back to the top of the league, what’s not to like?
COYBIG
The incredibly fast selling Harry Hood Twice as Good is out next week, if you want a copy from the first print-run which will be signed by former Celtic star Tommy Callaghan and author Matt Corr order below. The book has already been re-ordered for a second delivery later next month.
