West Brom may have hit the jackpot in former Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic
Ange Postecoglou’s comments on midfielder Tom Rogic should have West Brom fans excited as the Australian closes in on a move to The Hawthorns.
The Express and Star reported on Saturday 10 September that the Baggies are closing in on the signing of the Australian international.
Rogic has been a constant at Celtic Park since 2013 before being released this summer and his former boss Postecoglu was full of praise for the 29-year-old.
Talking at the back end of the 2021/22 season [quoted by Birmingham Live, 11 September], he said: “I think in Australia we probably haven’t realised the impact he has had on Celtic and Scottish football, and when you look at his highlights reel, mate – it’s unbelievable.
“The amount of important goals in important moments for Celtic… he goes down as a legend. I’ve had a great relationship with Tom over the last few years with the national team and particularly over the last 12 months, and he felt it was time to move on.
“I thought it was a great way to finish for him as a champion. I’m not sure what his next step is, I’ve kind of left him alone, but hopefully over the next period he gets his immediate future sorted out because he is still a wonderful footballer.”
This looks like another piece of shrewd business from Bruce in the free agent market, with Rogic an experienced campaigner who will be able to cope with the pressures of the Championship.
He has played in dozens of Old Firm matches and will be more than capable of adapting to life in England’s second tier.
Whether he is a priority for Steve Bruce is still up in the air with the Baggies boss having a good array of options in attacking midfield.
However, another experienced head can never be turned down, particularly if they are coming in on a free transfer. It will be interesting to see how the Australian fairs in the Championship compared to the relative ease of the Scottish Premiership, which throws up three to four meaningful fixtures each season.
In other West Brom news, while Rogic is almost over the line, the Baggies may not be done in the free transfer market with more additions eyed by Bruce.