Tom Rogic has said his goodbyes and will over the next few weeks sit down with his agent to map out the next chapter in his footballing career. Some club, probably located somewhere much sunnier than Glasgow, is about to get very lucky. Below, we feature some comments from Celtic supporters showing their appreciation for the Wizard of Oz, or just plain Oz as Sandman, of this parish, calls him.
And like a few of the supporters below have mentioned he’s totally responsible for making even me cry at that magical moment in May 2017, with lightning striking the Hampden pitch just behind him as he danced past this Aberdeen defenders and found an angle when there simply was no gap to score a glorious Celtic goal and complete an Invincible Treble for Celtic.
Then there’s every word Tom had to say in that Celtic TV farewell interview which the club released earlier today and you can also watch that below. Here goes…
Here are just some of the Celtic fans tributes to the wonder wizard of Oz, Tom Rogic….
“Tom has cemented himself in Celtic folklore.And will be remembered in years to come,” Barry Hamilton.
“Gutted he is leaving, gonna miss him and his contribution this year cannot be understated. All the best Tom,” Gore Limey.
“Incredible player. He scored some amount of goals against the tribute act,” Kwerkmoder.
“Forever remembered, what a player for us over the years…Hope he gets a great move and thanks for the memories,” DJ Alba.
“An absolutely incredible guy and an extraordinary player. He has left us all with some incredible memories. All the best Tom. Wishing you every success wherever you go. Really feels like the end of an era,” RunByFruiting.
“My favourite Celtic player of all time. The most skilful player that could get himself out of the tightest spaces surrounded by four or five players with sublime skill. You’ll always be remembered as a legend. Best of luck for the next chapter. God bless Tom ‘the wizard of oz’ Rogic,” Sat Nav.
“Gave my son a thumbs up with his number 18 on a flag made his day .. great player miss him at Celtic all the best Tom,” CFC Cfc.
“I know it’s an obvious one but when he scored in the Scottish Cup final and we were going crazy and it dawned on me: “An invincible Treble” Had a tear or 2 in my eye. A few more consecutive trebles followed which were also incredible but that was so legendary. The stuff we’ll tell the next generation about. I’m gonna miss our Wizard of Oz. He’s given us so much over the years but his name will forever be etched in history. We have another magician from down under in the Dugout and I can only see us getting better and better. Good luck Tom. Champions again ole ole,” Seanbhoy CFC.
“Thanks for everything Tom, you’ve been a brilliant player for us and it’s been a joy to watch you for so long. Best of luck in the future. We won’t forget you. Hail hail,” Minty.
“Up there with Celtic Icons Sutton, Thompson, Hartson etc. Devastated he’s going, it’s hit me harder than I thought. I think it’s to do with “end of an Era” type of feeling, seeing him and Bitton going. He was a key Part of the 2nd most successful period in our clubs history. Best of luck Tom you deserve the very best in the future for being so dedicated and loyal to the club,” Mr Wise.
“Gonna miss him so much. Has been my fav player for years and years such a shame to see him leave,” X.
“One of the most technically gifted player to ever play at paradise for the Bhoys,” Robbie.
“Wonderful human being, great representative of Celtic FC and consistently produced football for the soul. Tommy Rogic, one of our own!” Moravcik 25.
“Tom you will forever be a legend. I wish you all the best mate and hope you have a joyous life. Mate, you gave me one of the best moments of my live against Aberdeen and I will never forget it,” Peter Monaghan.
“Great great player, and such a humble person! Thoroughly deserves all the success he has achieved,” Joseph O’Brien.
“Only twice I’ve been emotional enough to cry watching Celtic and drink was normally involved lol. First time was Rogic scoring to win us the invincible treble and 2nd time was watching him leave the field of play for the last time. Gona miss you big man, one of a kind!” Mr Wise.
“All the best in your future career and thanks for the great memories and making history with the quadruple treble you have some great stories to tell your children and grandchildren. God bless big man Hail Hail,” Patrick Toner.
“Thanks Tam for having the best pair o’ feet I’ve seen in a long time and for gracing the Scottish pitches for 9 and 1/2 years playing for our club. Thanks for the memories and I wish you all the best for your future and, like a lot of our fans, I’ll still be keeping an eye out for you wherever you end up. HH. love and best wishes to you and your family YNWA. Donniebhoy 67.
“You have served Celtic with great distinction , Good luck Tom in the rest of your career,” Paul Pearson.
“You’ve been one of my favourite players in your time here – you will be missed for your goals and for your commitment. And especially for the Goal of the Month that I was fortunate to win!” Dougan.
“The jersey didn’t need to shrink to fit Tom Rogic. He added a touch of real magic on a magnificent period of domination at Celtic. Thank you for the memories Tom. Good luck ,God Bless you and your beautiful family. Stay blessed,” Brown Warrior.
“Tom, a great ambassador of Australia and those who watched you develop in your youth growing up in Canberra. Many of your Radford College classmates are proud of your achievements and friendship. Regards from Lachlan N,” Greg Nicholas.
Celtic TV: Tom, you’ve spent nine years at the football club – a debut at Inverness, lifting the title against Motherwell on the final day, European goals, last-minute winners and that Scottish Cup final all packed in the middle – you are now leaving the club, how do you look back on your time and all those memories?
Tom Rogic: “It was an incredibly special time and I feel very fortunate to have been at the club for this period of time. I have had so many special moments and met so many special people and I’m sure I’ll do more reflecting once I have left the club when I have a bit more time to look back on things. For now, I can just be really proud of my time here and I am really grateful and fortunate to have spent so many years here and achieved so many great things.”
Celtic TV: There have been so many highs along the way and you’ve spent most of your adult life in Glasgow and at this football club, it must be a really difficult and emotional decision to move on at this time?
Celtic TV: When you look back at the 20-year old that arrived in January 2013 compared to the man you are today leaving this football club what kind of person leaves to the one that arrived?
Tom Rogic: “When you put it like that it is pretty strange. It has been some ride and I was just a boy when I first signed and I think spending so long at this club – the best part of a decade – has really shaped me as a person and as a player and I will only look back with fond memories and I feel very fortunate that I was able to spend this time here.
“It will be sad and it is an emotional time for me and my family it is something that I just feel the time is right and I am looking forward to getting a send-off which will be extremely special. Going into my last game and with the chance to play at Celtic Park for the last time and to share that with my teammates and the fans and my family watching I can’t ask for much more than that. I am just excited and proud.”
Celtic TV: When you look at the individual moments and team moments what stands out as iconic to you?
Tom Rogic: “There were so many and I am very fortunate that I had great times here. I would say the opportunity to play week in, week out at Celtic Park is something that I would not take for granted. The atmosphere in particular on Champions League nights and derby matches was so special.
“In terms of moments the 2017 Scottish Cup final one sticks out but there were a number of derby goals and last-minute winners which I can look back on as key moments and I think I will just miss everything. I was fortunate enough to have so many great teammates and great players and to have shared that with so many good people over the years makes it all the more special.”
Celtic TV: We can’t let you leave without talking about that cup final goal again in more detail and it was the day you became an immortal at this football club – how much pride and happiness do you get when you look back on that moment?
Tom Rogic: “I get immensely proud. The moment itself, the significance, I will look back on it for a very long time I’m sure. You know there are a number of moments I can look back on and feel really proud about. That season, in particular, we were unbeaten all season and we were going for the treble which had not been done for some years and to finish it off in that way in that manner was special and as a season as a whole, that was an incredible one for myself and the club. It was a really special time.
Celtic TV: You have won 16 honours with this football club and you’ve been part of such a dynasty in Celtic’s modern history that must fill you with so much pride that you have been part of such a successful period?
Tom Rogic: “Yeah, definitely. Over the nine-and-a-half years, we’ve had a lot of success and there have been a lot of players and managers that have come and gone but the constant has been that we have been really successful throughout that period and I was just speaking about the Invincible season and how special that was and you fast forward to where we are now and the success we have had this season needing to win the title back and the manner in which we’ve done it and the football that we have played.
“It is as rewarding a season as I can remember and it is special. I did feel that it was important to me to go out on a high and knowing that I will be leaving as a champion after having a lot of success here is a special thing. It was another great season.”
Celtic TV: You were reunited with your old Australian manager Ange Postecoglou and he seemed to get the best out of you once again this season and you have been such an integral part of the team as Celtic won the domestic double – how special a season has it been for you personally and for the team to go out in this manner?
Tom Rogic: “On a personal note, it has been a good season. From the team’s perspective, it has been very successful with the domestic double and the manager coming in has done an enormous job and I can’t speak highly enough of him. I think his approach to football and life, in general, makes him such a good man.
“It is something that I have a lot of time for and I have just really enjoyed I think the fans love him and I think they can see he is doing a very good job and I wish him and the club nothing but success in the future.”
Celtic TV: The Celtic fans love you as well and you will be missed at the football club – how much will you miss that connection you had with them?
Tom Rogic: “Of course, I think when you play in front of 60,000 fans week in, week out for such a long period you grow accustomed to it but you certainly don’t take it for granted. It has been a special ride and I have been fortunate to have experienced so many great memories at Celtic Park and away with the travelling supporters. It is something I will reflect upon with great pride and I am sure I will tell my kids and grandkids one day about it. It is really cool.”
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