Glasgow (AFP) – This time last year, Tom Rogic’s career at Celtic was at a crossroads.
The Australian international had endured a frustrating time at Celtic Park following his arrival from A-League side Central Coast Mariners in January 2013.
The Socceroo star suffered several injury problems and found his game time limited before being shipped back to Australia for a loan spell with Melbourne Victory.
By the time Rogic reported back in Glasgow in the summer of 2015 the 23-year-old had not started for Celtic since September 2013 and his future at the Scottish champions looked in doubt.
But after impressing in pre-season training, the midfielder was finally handed a place in the Celtic side that faced Partick Thistle in early August last year.
And the Australian grabbed his opportunity with both hands as he grabbed his first goal for the Hoops on his way to helping them to a 2-0 win.
Rogic would go on to make 39 appearances and find the back of the net 10 times in his breakthrough season in Glasgow, while also making an impact on the international scene as he increased his tally to 18 caps for Australia.
However, the departure of Celtic’s Norwegian manager Ronny Deila in May meant Rogic stalled on signing a new contract as doubt was cast on his long-term future at the club under incoming manager Brendan Rodgers.
The Australian was linked with a number of English clubs but the speculation ended earlier this month when Rogic put pen to paper on a new three-year deal.
The midfielder celebrated by grabbing a brace in the League Cup win over Motherwell before following it up with the opener in the 5-2 Champions League qualifier against Hapoel Beer-Sheva on Wednesday.
– Rogic’s best still to come –
Rogic appears to be loving life under Rodgers and the former Liverpool boss looks like he could yet get the best out of his player.
“Since he has come in the whole environment has been positive so it has been pleasing,” the Australian international said.
“And working with him, I, along with the other players in the team, feel as though he can get the best out of us and it is exciting.
“Everyone wants to be a part of it. I think the future is bright.
“I am settled here. My girlfriend and I have been here for a few years now and we are happy off the pitch. It’s a great club, a fantastic club and there is a real buzz about the place at the moment.
“You get to play club football here week in, week out and it is pretty special. I don’t take that for granted.
“I have been here for a while and I hope to be here for some time yet. Leaving was never something that crossed my mind.”
Celtic now take on St Johnstone on Saturday before flying out to Israel for the return leg of their Champions League play-off tie against Hapoel Beer-Sheva.
A match against Aberdeen will follow that before Rogic will join up with the rest of his Socceroos teammates for 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and the UAE.
“We have exciting games coming up and we have made three quality signings so far and everybody has contributed,” Rogic added.
“The manager has shaken the place up a bit and the players have reacted to that and so have the fans.
“Everyone wants to impress the manager – as with any new change at that kind of level. I think you can see that in the way and the style of football that we are playing and it is still early days. Hopefully things can only get better.”
Fixtures (1400 GMT unless otherwise stated)
Saturday
St Johnstone v Celtic (1115)
Aberdeen v Partick Thistle
Hearts v Inverness
Rangers v Motherwell
Ross County v Kilmarnock
