Scottish champions Celtic head into the World Cup break having opened up a nine-point lead at the summit following what's been a relentless start to the new domestic campaign, with Ange Postecoglou's side having hardly put a foot wrong in the league thus far.

Following that imperious form - that has seen the Old Firm outfit pick up 42 points from a possible 45 - there may well be one man looking on with envy at present, with former Hoops star Tom Rogic likely to be regretting his decision to depart over the summer.

The 29-year-old made the surprise move to call time on his lengthy spell at Parkhead at the end of last season, with the Australia international having originally joined the club for a reported fee of just £400k back in January 2013.

Having overcome initial injury woes that would inhibit the playmaker's impact in the first few years of his time in Glasgow, the 6 foot 2 sensation would go on to become a key figure for the Bhoys, scoring 46 goals and providing 49 assists in 272 games in all competitions.

The 53-cap magician had somewhat fallen down the pecking order at Paradise after coming close to a move away from the club in the summer of 2020, only for the arrival of Postecoglou to spark something of a revival, as the midfield maestro went on to provide 16 goal contributions in 50 games across all fronts last term.

Having blossomed under the 57-year-old's tutelage, it had then come as a shock to see the former Central Coast Mariners man opt to depart, with Rogic eventually joining West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer.

On reflection, the Hoops may well have parted company with the player at just the right time, with the £1m-rated man having gone on to struggle in his new surroundings, making just six appearances for the Baggies thus far.

Having not signed on the dotted line until mid-September, the silky asset has seemingly been playing catch up of late, ensuring that he has been restricted to just a solitary start in the Championship at the Hawthorns.

Those woes have been compounded by the fact that the Aussie star has been omitted from his nation's squad for Qatar, with that lack of game time having potentially proved costly to his chances of an inclusion.

At present, it seemingly beggars belief as to why Rogic was so keen to move on from Celtic Park only to end up as a peripheral figure in England's second tier, with journalist Alexi Demetriadi suggesting that such a switch is simply "mystifying".

The player himself may well have regrets regarding his exit, although as far as Postecoglou and co are concerned there have been no real ill effects as a result of that departure, with the Celtic machine continuing to march on without him.