When the news broke that Tom Rogic had rejected a move to Qatar – and for the time being at least would be remaining with Celtic – I have to say I was relieved. Not only because he was staying but also because Qatar wasn’t exactly a league I see much of, and as such watching his progress after his time in the Hoops may be somewhat problematic. It’s also – in my own opinion – not a fitting environment for a player of his level of ability. Money aside Tom Rogic can do better than that.
I’m fairly certain Tom Rogic’s days as a Celtic player are numbered. For whatever reason, be it a clash of personalities or an inability to fit in to tactical plans, then Lennon and Rogic don’t seem a good fit. That seems to go back to when the Australian signed for Celtic under Lennon in January 2013 and was sent out on loan to Melbourne in Australia, before returning to Celtic and eventually becoming the man who added the cherry on the top of the icing on the cake of the Invincible Treble.
I have three pieces of Celtic art adorning the walls of my home relating to individual Celtic players. One of Jimmy Johnstone, one of Henrik Larsson and one I purchased only a couple of month’s back. Tom Rogic scoring that goal against Aberdeen at Hampden to win the Scottish club and ensure immortality for him and his teammates.
As such Rogic leaving Celtic before he has the opportunity to be here when Celtic deliver that record breaking tenth title in succession would pain me a little, as I’m sure it would many of you too.
That said I’m pragmatic enough to realise that Rogic hasn’t been much more than a bit part player for Lennon and I’d back Lenny’s judgement as to who does and doesn’t deserve a starting slot over my own any day of the week.
Yet when I heard Rogic was leaving I can’t be the only one who wanted him to have one last chance. Now it could be that Rogic, now married, wants to be nearer to home as he no doubt thinks of starting a family and therefore being near his own. He may even have had one too many winters in Scotland and – much like when Henrik Larsson headed for Barcelona – he just wants the regular warmth of the sun on his back, and who could blame him. Yet could that wait until May?
If Celtic are worried there is an expensively paid player contributing little to the cause now, in comparison to years gone by, or they are concerned about injury records and international marathon trips to play for the Socceroos’ I can fully understand, but again does it have to be this season?
And the reasons are not exclusively sentimental for wishing that Tom Rogic remains a Celtic player for this season, though there is a little of that I’d freely admit.
Rogic remains a young man. He is 27 years of age, in fact for a footballer he should actually be entering his peak years. He is also the one player in the Celtic squad at this moment in time that you’d say could turn one point into three. Be that from the starting eleven or from the bench, he has it in his locker to supply the pass, execute the finish, or produce that moment of skill that I don’t see readily available in Celtic’s squad today.
If injuries have become an issue and Rogic is just not at his work often enough, then as a higher earner I see the wisdom in selling the player on, though if its injuries they can’t get to the bottom of perhaps one last attempt and a trip with the physio to Lourdes might be worth one last punt!
If it’s tactical then there will be games like Kilmarnock of Ferencvaros on the horizon again where Rogic could turn a game and as such may be worth persevering with in this season of all seasons.
In my time watching Celtic I’ve seen many players that were something a little different. From Paul McStay and John Collins to Paolo Di Canio and Jorge Cadette and on to Lubomír Moravcík and Henrik Larsson, we’ve had players that can change a game by themselves. Yet if you’d been born as Lubo was retiring and Larsson was bidding his tearful farewell, as much as Celtic have had great success and some wonderful players there won’t have been many as entertaining as Tom Rogic.
ALSO READ THIS FROM NIALL J TODAY ON THE CELTIC STAR…Political machinations at Barcelona, Henrik Larsson’s long route back to Celtic Park
While Celtic have built great teams of late the entertainers have –as with most of football – been replaced with strength of limbs and speed of thought. Technicians aplenty but how many that you’d pay your entrance fee to watch on their own? For me Tom Rogic falls into that category, there is something special in there, something as the cliché goes that gets bums off seats.
Now I’m aware sentimentality probably did for another team who once tried to reach the Holy Grail of Ten-in-a-Row and I don’t want Celtic falling into that trap, but for me it’s not purely sentimental to retain Tom Rogic for one more season. Given his best moments in the Hoops have supplied some of our greatest moments as Celtic supporters it may just be that he has one more piece of magic, one last legendary moment of brilliance that could influence Celtic’s season of seasons.
If there is just that chance that Tom Rogic’s vision and timing, that ability to be the right man in the right place, the man who just could deliver the Ten, then let’s keep him around. Even if it’s just for now.
Niall J
Wanna watch THAT Invincible Treble clinching goal again? Why the hell not?…
Also on The Celtic Star from our extract series from Walfrid & The Bould Bhoys…David Meikleham: Shoemaker, a Celtic Founding Father and kidnapper of The Duke
And then this one…Sandy McMahon: The one and only ‘Duke’ led the way for Jimmy Quinn, Jimmy McGrory and Henrik Larsson
