Rogic looks like he’d be allergic to Angeball but it turns out it’s really his thing
Postecoglou knows how to make Tom tick
THE new man from the Far East has become an instant hero at Celtic Park but a familiar face from Down Under has been like a new signing for Ange Postecoglou.
Kyogo Furuhashi has rightly hogged the headlines and the Japanese superstar was sensational again last night.
But Hoops fans are also relishing a blast from the past. A year ago Tom Rogic was heading for football semi-retirement.
A move to Qatar might be worth a few quid but it’s no place for a man heading in to his peak years.
The weird thing was last year, no one was particularly bothered.
A guy who had provided so many magical moments and on the brink of saying cheerio – there wasn’t much apart from shrugging shoulders.
But now? It’s not just Celtic that have been reborn. There’s been a Rogic renaissance.
The big Aussie is so laid back at times you’d think he’d be better off with a surf board under his arm than a football at his feet.
When he’s in the mood though, there are not many better on these shores – and it looks like Postecoglou knows how to make him tick.
Sure, he still looks absolutely gubbed after an hour. But unlike recent years, Rogic has put in a heck of a shift while he’s out there.
When he stopped at one stage to take a huge gulp of air, he’d really earned it.
And rather than look to the bench or thumb a taxi, he got straight back to work. When he did eventually go Celtic were well on their way to a stunning result.
You’d think he’d be allergic to Angeball. High energy, high intensity, non-stop pressing and movement.
It turns out that is his thing after all. It was the same when Brendan Rodgers fired a rocket up the big fella and Postecoglou has got him motoring again.
In fairness, he’s not the only one. The new manager has lifted the entire club. The fun is back at Celtic Park.
Postecoglou needed a big result though. He needed last night to really lift off.
Celtic’s record against Dutch sides has been more than decent over the years. In 15 ties, the Hoops had only lost six times and included a couple of crackers in there.
There are fond memories of the 3-1 victory over Ajax in Amsterdam 20 years ago that saw Martin O’Neill’s side had towards the Champions League group stage for the first time.
That was the night Celtic emerged as a European force under the Irishman.
Postecoglou will need to finish the job next week to think he’s done the same. But what a start.
The chance to return this season might have gone but the
Europa League isn’t such a bad fall-back. It’s probably been the level for Scottish clubs in recent years after the painful scuddings Rodgers’ side took the last time they were at the top table.
But the prospect of dropping down again to the Europa Vanarama Vauxhall Conference, or whatever it’s called, doesn’t exactly hold much appeal.
Sure, there are some decent teams in the competition and a few more might turn up given UEFA now hands out more lifelines than Jeremy Clarkson on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
But it’s not where Celtic want to be. It’s not where they need to be. Mind you, AZ went into last night thinking exactly the same.
The Dutch outfit only finished behind Ajax and PSV Eindhoven in their league last term and this was always going to be a huge test for Postecoglou’s new-look side.
It’s one think clattering Dundee and Jablonec. It’s another going toe-to-toe with Dutch big guns.
Celtic seemed to sense it at first as well. It wasn’t quite all guns blazing. It was a tad more tentative instead but it sunk in pretty quickly that wasn’t going to work.
This side can’t be shy and retiring. They are going to concede chances regardless, so they might as well make a ton at the same time. It took the opening for the penny to drop – and after that the switch was flicked. Back to organised chaos.
There was a lurch when AZ got in behind, a spin when Joe Hart made a superb save and the crowd went loop the loop when Kyogo pounced with another sensational goal.
It was constant twists and turns, Celtic dominating with chances created but also with opportunities conceded and you couldn’t take you’re eyes off it for a second. AZ were on top when Celts doubled their lead.
It was even more surprising to see another side to Postecoglou’s team. They saw out the final 20 minutes without too much drama.
Anthony Ralston rock solid, Rogic running full pelt and a clean sheet out of nowhere. It’s best to expect the unexpected with this Celtic team.