LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

Brendan Rodgers hints he could try Tom Rogic at striker for Celtic

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers (Reuters)
Follow us on Google Discover

Celtic are set to take on Rosenberg in Champions League qualification, but Brendan Rodgers’ options up-front are short.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has told the Scotsman that some supporters may not have noticed, but he has already tested out Tom Rogic up-front.

Rogic was handed a chance to lead the line during Celtic’s 5-0 win over Partick towards the end of last campaign.

And Rodgers has hinted that the Australian could be used as a false nine in Celtic’s Champions League qualifier against Rosenberg later this evening.

“Some of you may or may not have noticed that in the Partick game for the last half hour I played Tom Rogic up there,” Rodgers said.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers

“That was planning forward, thinking about the ‘what if’. That was a false nine. So we’ll see.

“I’ve done that wherever I’ve been, having that ‘floating’ player. You need to have pace in behind. It can gain you superiority in a vital area of the field. It works.”

Celtic would ordinarily have played Moussa Dembele or Leigh Griffiths up-front in the European clash, but both could be unavailable.

Griffiths is suspended for his actions in the last round against Linfield, while Dembele missed training yesterday.

Although there are still hopes Dembele could make it back in time to play for the Bhoys, Rodgers may be forced to try something new.

Rogic generally plays in midfield, but has shown a knack for getting on the scoresheet.

Celtic are desperate to qualify for the Champions League next season, and go into their tie with Rosenberg as the favourites to make it through.

Celtic's Tomas Rogic celebrates scoring their second goal