Australian midfielder Tom Rogic has made his long awaited return for Celtic following a 10 week long injury layoff thanks to knee injury.
Rogic started for Celtic as they drew 0-0 with St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.
It was his first match since limping out of a Champions League clash with Anderlecht on December 6 – and Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers’ decision to throw him back into the deep end has split fans.
One fan tweeted:
“Rogic should never have been thrown in like that”
While others were pleased to see their man back out on the park
“Good to see Rogic getting minutes,” another fan said, while another suggested that Rogic was “unfit and never likely to dominate.”
According to players’ rating as collated by Football Insider, the Socceroos midfielder was rated at 4/10 in the match, stating that Rogic “played like a player who hadn’t played for three months, some nice touches on the ball but generally on the fringes of the game, will take time for him to get back to his best.”
However, as on Celtic fan pointed out on Twitter,
“He can’t be expected to come back firing on all cylinders right away.”
Brendan Rodgers defended his decision to start Rogic, pointing to the match as a great opportunity to hand minutes to some Celtic players who had found themselves down the pecking order in recent times.
The boss said:
“Tom Rogic played his first game for three months and young Calvin Miller played. I have to take opportunities at some point to play some of these guys, especially with so many injuries.”
Also, report according to The Evening Standard said:
“Rogic and his ability to change a game has been missed by Celtic in the time he has spent out of action but inevitably it will take the Australian internationalist a little time to get himself up to match fitness after so long out.”
The Australian midfielder will hope to continue his return for the Hoops when they travel to Russia for the second leg of their Europa League clash with Zenit.
I’m not sure. Rogic & Sinclair needed game time. Griff injured so Dembele not risked. Same with Roberts/Forrest & Lustig/Gamboa.
I’ll take a draw if we get a result on Thursday.— Scottsman78 ? (@Scottsman1978) February 18, 2018
I don't blame Rodgers for resting players for Thursday and giving younger guys a chance but Sinclair poor, Musonda still unsure and Eduardo is just pants. Rogic unfit and never likely to dominate. At least young Millar came out with some credit today.
— Paul B (@tictoon) February 18, 2018
I'm all for resting KT, Brown suspended.. Rogic was nowhere near fit enough to start, and why drop Dembele when he just played his first good game this Callander year?
— Grant Coll (@coll_wild) February 18, 2018
They’re not great.
Glad to see Rogic back. Desperate for a number 10.
— david (@hacketmale) February 18, 2018
The Wizard is back @Tom_Rogic. ⚽️???
— LMc ⚽️? (@LMc188867) February 18, 2018
Brilliant that Rogic is back in the starting XI ?
— James Davison (@James_D97) February 18, 2018
Positives today: rogic got game time, wee Musonda played well, clean sheet, no serious injuries
— Anti anti Anti-fascist (@TheEvilGenius3) February 18, 2018