OPINION
Celtic manager Neil Lennon must be itching to unleash midfielder Tom Rogic as he’d be a game changer given that he makes things happen.
John Hartson heaped praise on the 26-year-old midfielder in his column for the Glasgow Evening Times as he shared he thought he was one of the Hoops’ big game performers and someone you can look to force the issue.
“The same goes for Tom Rogic (getting minutes ahead of Rangers clash),” wrote Hartson.
“He really is one of the big game performers at Celtic at the minute and he is one of those players that you can look towards to make something happen.”
While Lennon hasn’t tasted defeat since his return to Celtic, some of the performances by his side have hardly been inspiring.
For example the Hoops left it late to beat Dundee 1-0 on Sunday and barely threatened their opponent’s goal despite seeing a lot of the ball.
Celtic seemed to lack a player who could carve out a chance from nothing or one that could take the game by the scruff of the neck and drag his side over the line.
Yet Rogic is that type of player based on Hartson’s remarks and Lennon must be eager to use him as soon as possible as that would make it easier for the manager to impress enough to get the job on a full-time basis.
The 26-year-old hasn’t featured since Boxing Day but before getting injured, he was involved in nine goals in 27 outings.
However while Lennon’s current Celtic team are crying out for Rogic to return, the good news is he looks set to be in action shortly.
The Hoops boss previously confirmed that the 26-year-old would be back for the Old Firm derby, which is his side’s next game.
“Tom should be fit for the Rangers game. Olivier is also back doing a bit of running and we hope to have him doing a bit of training next week,” he said, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
While some may not want to rush Rogic back into action, Lennon will surely throw him straight back into his starting line-up as Celtic need him.