Celtic's Tom Rogic deserves to start

Football FanCast

By Billy Meyers

Published Mar 6, 2020

Tom Rogic now looks "strong and fit" according to Neil Lennon, so there is no reason why he doesn't deserve to start after his 90th minute equaliser against Livingston.

Speaking ahead of Celtic's clash with St Mirren on Saturday, Neil Lennon provided a welcome piece of news.

What was it?

The Hoops boss revealed that Tom Rogic is looking "strong and fit" once again after what has been a turbulent season for the Australian.

Lennon stated back at the beginning of February that the 27-year-old - who is rated at £2.25m on Transfermarkt - had an issue where his knee would flare up after a game, explaining why the midfielder has rarely featured.

Rogic has made just eight starts across all competitions for the reigning Scottish champions this season, struggling to nail down a consistent starting role in Lennon's XI.

However, the Hoops manager now has no excuse to leave him out after his very own pre-match fitness update.

Deserves to start against St Mirren

Last time out against Livingston, Celtic looked in serious danger of throwing away their unbeaten start to 2020 domestically.

They trailed 2-1 as second-half stoppage time began, only for Rogic to step up and nick a timely equaliser to preserve the Bhoys' unbeaten start to the year - after Rangers lost to Hamilton, it also meant that Celtic went 13 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

It makes sense for Lennon to have given the Australian a limited amount of starts due to his knee issue, but following his own update on the Celtic No.18, he now has no excuse to leave Rogic out following his late equaliser and also his improving fitness.

With the reigning Scottish champions 13 points clear - as aforesaid - Lennon can afford to make changes to his side and be creative without having to worry about Rangers leapfrogging them.