With the summer transfer window moving ever closer for Celtic, attacking midfielder Tom Rogic was probably gearing up for a departure from Parkhead.
The Australian has been phased out of the Hoops team in the later parts of the campaign which after missing out on a move last year, will have been disappointing.
However, this summer represents another opportunity for the Bhoys midfielder to earn a switch elsewhere.
Rogic has attracted the interest of clubs in Asia and before Neil Lennon resigned, he’d have probably grasped that avenue with both hands.
Though, the entire landscape of Celtic is about to change. After failing to nail down Eddie Howe, the Hoops have turned their attentions towards Ange Postecoglou.
The 55-year-old is currently in charge of Yokohama Marinos in Japan so would be a rather left-field choice in the manager market.
That said, it’s difficult to discount him when you consider the style of play he prefers. His Marinos team play with a relentless press, hounding the opposition defence at every opportunity.
This appointment could be game-changing for Rogic, though. Initially thought to be on his merry way, the chance to work with a coach he fared so well under with Australia should be appealing.
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Postecoglou took charge of the Socceroos from 2013-2017, guiding them through the 2014 World Cup.
Rogic ended up earning 26 caps under the Celtic-linked boss, netting six goals in that time frame. One of those strikes came in an impressive outing against Germany where Australia tasted a 3-2 defeat.
The 28-year-old has very rarely set the world alight in the last few years but it’s important to keep in mind that he is incredibly gifted.
Lennon hardly allowed him to express himself and then John Kennedy denied him an opportunity to play too.
The Australia international started just one game in the final three months of the season and endured a torrid time on the bench.
However, under a coach who knows his game well from international level, he could finally be given greater freedom at Parkhead.
Speaking about Rogic earlier this year, David Turnbull could only find praise for him. “When I was up against Tom Rogic with Motherwell, I always felt it was impossible to get the ball off him,” he began.
“He’s just so strong, he can hold the ball up and hold you off as well. There’s so many good touches, it’s just hard to get the ball off him. He’s right up there with the best I’ve played with or against. You see his technical ability when he plays,” the Scot added.
Celtic supporters may not be too enthralled with the idea of Rogic earning more game time but with a glowing appraisal from Turnbull and a manager he trusts, a spark could be reignited in his career.
The £16k-per-week earner’s best form at Celtic came under Brendan Rodgers, where he scored 24 goals and produced 20 assists in 104 outings. If he can replicate those sorts of numbers alongside the effervescent Turnbull, it will surely be a recipe for success.
Coincidentally, the Aussie compared Postecoglou to the current Leicester boss back in 2016: “It’s almost a bit of a similar feel as I see the managers being a little bit similar in ways — both quite positive and both quite intense to work under,” he explained.
Rogic’s future is out of his hands at the moment but under the Yokohama Marinos boss, he could begin to thrive again. The new manager must give Rogic a chance.
AND in other news, Celtic buy McCann in £13m spending spree, Edouard axed: How Postecoglou’s XI may look…