ANGE POSTECOGLOU has broken his silence on Tom Rogic’s move to West Brom as the Celtic manager does his media rounds in Sydney this week.
Tom left the club in the summer after just under ten years at Celtic. It was a mutual decision between the player and the Hoops hierarchy.
It was surprising for many Celtic fans when the Australian midfielder still didn’t have a club as the new season started. Tom bided his time and eventually turned up at West Brom in the English Championship.
Given Ange is in Australia and Tom is still very much part of the international scene, it was inevitable the Celtic boss would be asked about Rogic’s move.
He told Adelaide Now: “He’s a legend at Celtic but at the same time he spent his whole adult life there and I could sense that he just needed a change.
“Tommy’s talent is unquestionable.
“And also he backs himself, against anybody.
“He’s still probably one of our best players at national team level and hasn’t taken the easy route going to the Championship.
“His fitness levels and everything need to be at their best to compete there.
“People shouldn’t underestimate him to last that long at a club like Celtic, which demands success.
“Tom had 9-10 years of that, and he has got to be a strong character to survive that long.
“No doubt if fit, raring to go, he’ll be a challenge for anyone at the World Cup.”
Tom was getting heat back in Oz for pulling out of the international squad over the summer. Ange said it right, on his day and fit, the Celtic hero is one of the best players at Australia’s disposal.
The World Cup squad is yet to be announced, I’d be surprised it Rogic didn’t make the team. If he doesn’t, Socceroos boss Graham Arnold would be making a huge mistake.
As for Tom at West Brom, he’s going to have to make sure he’s ready for the slog the Championship brings. Playing in the SPFL will certainly mean he’s more equipped than most.
