Will Celtic now push ahead for the out-of-favour Sunderland man in light of Tom Rogic’s setback?
Brendan Rodgers confirmed to The Glasgow Evening Times on Wednesday that Celtic are set to be without Tom Rogic for a further six to eight weeks after suffering a setback on his return from a knee injury.
Given that Rodgers has already lost Stuart Armstrong for a month, it’s less than ideal for the Celtic boss whose central midfield options are dwindling.
The Northern Irishman was linked with a move for Sunderland midfielder Jack Rodwell and it seems possible that the Hoops manager could push ahead with this in light of recent injuries.
Sunderland are said to be hoping to terminate Rodwell’s £70k-a-week deal on Wearside, but the 28-year-old, who hasn’t featured in a Championship game for the Black Cats since September, told The Daily Mail on Thursday that he just wants to play football again and therefore must consider a wage cut.
The Guardian have reported that Celtic are among those willing to take him at Parkhead and Rodgers’s need for a midfielder has certainly increased recently.
The Premiership champions face Zenit St Petersburg in a last-32 Europa League tie next month. Rogic, if the prognosis is correct, looks certain to miss that and having a player of Rodwell’s talents and experience could be a big plus for Rodgers.
His career has undoubtedly stifled since a £10 million move to Sunderland in 2014, but the Celtic boss is a terrific man-manager and few would be surprised if Rodgers was able to get the best out of him once more.
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