BBC pundit John Hartson believes Neil Lennon will turn to Tom Rogic for the visit of Steven Gerrard’s Rangers on Sunday, writing in his Evening Times column.
Rogic has not played for the club since December after extended international duty with Australia and a two-month injury lay-off.
The 26-year-old is back in first-team training at Lennoxtown though and Hartson reckons that despite his lack of football, Lennon could turn to him for an hour during the upcoming derby.
As quoted by The Evening Times, the former Celtic striker said:
Tom Rogic has been missed and is now fit. There is nobody else quite like him, the way he can turn an opponent, his dribbling and shooting ability. The Australian loves playing against Rangers.
He’s had no game time for almost two months, but I wonder if Lennon will ask him to go out there for an hour and try to run the Rangers defence ragged as he has done so many times before.
Whatever team he goes with, Lennon needs to win. I think he will.
There’s absolutely no doubt Rogic is a big game player and although he is clearly not up to full match fitness, I would also be tempted to play the Australian from the start on Sunday.
His ability to find space between the opposition midfield and defensive lines is exceptional, able to make room for himself and others before delivering a final ball or scoring a magical goal.
His threat is unique in the Celtic squad and if he is anywhere near able to play then Lennon should take the risk and feature him, even if he may not be able to provide the work ethic of others in the team.