Stevie Frail is hoping that Tom Rogic’s Celtic career is about to kick-off at the second time of asking.
Two years ago at New Douglas Park the Australian was introduced to the ‘joys’ of Scottish football scoring in a win over Hamilton Accies against a backdrop of snow and sleat.
On Monday night at Cappielow Rogic played his first match of the season as Celtic’s development side defeated Motherwell and the elements to record a 2-0 win.
Playing in the centre of the park the 22-year-old got 45 minutes under his belt as he put to bed the misery of the muscle injuries that cost him a place at the World Cup and the chance to make an early impression on Ronny Deila.
“Tom is a first-team player and personally it’s good see him back,” Frail said. “It’s been hard for him but he has come through it so I’m really pleased for Tom.
“He had a good 45 minutes and that will benefit him, the conditions didn’t suit his style of play but he came through it fine.
“It’s really good to get them all back and hopefully he can get the game time that he needs.”
On Thursday night Celtic return to Cappielow to face Hamilton Accies for a place in the last four of the SFA Youth Cup.
While the Development League allows overage players to be involved the SFA Youth Cup is restricted to u-20’s only.
Celtic have already beaten Motherwell and Dundee United to reach the last eight with some important decisions to be made for the team to meet Hamilton.
Paul McMullan and Calum Waters were in the Scotland side that narrowly lost out on a place in the final of the u-19 European Championships despite beating Austria and drawing with Italy and Croatia.
Three high pressure games within six days will have taken their toll on the international duo with Frail thinking carefully about whether both players will be in the right frame of mind for the Hamilton match.
“Paul and Calum have had a very demanding time,” Frail added after Monday’s win over Motherwell. “We’ll have them in our thoughts for the Hamilton match but there’s a lot to weigh up.
“A few players missed the Motherwell match and will want to play. Hamilton have had a great season but we missed out on this trophy last season so it’s important that we get through to the semi-final.”
Tomorrow’s match kick’s-off at 7pm and will be played to a finish.