Alex McLeish has lauded Celtic’s Tom Rogic as the Hoops beat Aberdeen 3-0.
Alex McLeish has revealed he is surprised playmaker Tom Rogic does not play in all of Celtic’s big matches after starring in the Hoops’ 3-0 win over Aberdeen.
Rogic, 24, started Wednesday night’s Scottish Premiership clash against Derek McInnes’ Dons and was instrumental in the victory as he connected Celtic’s midfield and attack with a masterclass of creativity.
However, the Australia international has started just 12 of his 19 league and cup appearances this season, only appearing from the bench in Celtic’s Champions League outings against Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
Former Rangers manager McLeish was quoted by BT Sport Football’s Twitter account after the 3-0 win that he was surprised Rogic does not start more of Celtic’s bigger matches.
“I’ve banged the drum for Tom Rogic, but I think he *has* to play in the big games.”
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) October 25, 2017
“He’s a handful for everybody.”@chris_sutton73 pic.twitter.com/0dmyIX89sm
“I’m sure Brendan Rodgers must have him in his upper-most thoughts for most of the games. I’m surprised to hear he doesn’t play in all the big games,” McLeish said.
“I think Rogic is a handful for anybody. It’s not so much his robustness, but it is more his guile for getting into the box and his passing; you saw that one for Dembele to get round the back of the defender.”
Celtic earned a commanding three points against the Dons at Pittodrie thanks to goals from left-back Kieran Tierney and two from Moussa Dembele.
It leaves Rodgers’ side three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, with Aberdeen in second ahead of Saturday’s clash against Kilmarnock.
Rodgers is likely to rest a number of his key stars on Saturday, as the Bhoys face German champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday night with Rogic likely to feature in both matches.
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