John Kennedy believes that Tom Rogic is ready to stake a claim for a first team place.
The young Australian put in an impressive 90 minutes against Kilmarnock on Tuesday night scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 win over the Ayrshire side.
Rogic made an impressive first team debut in the 3-1 win over Inverness Caley Thistle in February but has been used sparingly by Neil Lennon.
“He hasn’t had many first team games but he seemed very comfortable against Kilmarnock,” Kennedy said.
“The tempo is different at first team level but he has lots of technical ability, he takes the ball well under pressure, has a fantastic left foot, sees things well and is a goal threat when he gets further up the pitch.
“He scored once, hit the post and has a bit of elegance. He’s tall but has a good eye for a pass and sees other people moving off the ball. He’s good enough to execute the pass.
“There is still a bit of development to come but he looks promising, looking to the future it looks positive.”
Tuesday’s win over Kilmarnock leaves Celtic needing nine points from their last six matches to secure the u-20 title.
Against Kilmarnock Celtic fielded more of a development team than youth side with the emphasis very much on providing players ready for top team action.
“We are in a good position in the league and dealt well with the Kilmarnock game,” Kennedy added.
“It was a good 90 minute performance and could have been more than 2-0. We scored two well worked goals with first team players getting some good match practise.
“This league is a good platform for first team players to get game time, it’s a good standard and Kilmarnock had a bit of experience as well.
“The u-20 league has been great for us, it’s pushed us on a lot. We’ve struggled for form at times but kept on winning, this was a good performance and we want to build on that.”
CLICK HERE for Celtic 2-0 Kilmarnock match report
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Rogic deserves his chance NOW. It is also time to give Tony Watt a run in the first team. Tony is fast and direct and clearly knows where the goal is.
Agree, these two will I’m sure play big parts in our future so YES bed them in now. The midfield needs a new edge and Rogic in my opinion has the tools to give us that. Every aspect of Hoopers game looks tired, rusty and can’t be bothered over the passed couple of months. Dropping him to bench and giving Tony Watt the berth might shock him into some action. Hail hail
What, Lenny drop his fav player!
Hooper is the only one who gets pass marks in Celtic games, in Lennon’s eyes. Not sure what games he is watching.
Hooper way off the boil in the last few months. In the St Mirren game the game was crying out for someone to hold the ball, especially when we went down to 10 men, and take the ball up the park. What does Lennon do, brings on Watt after 91 mins. Samaras and Hooper were missing the entire game. On the subject of subsitutions Lennon baffles me at times.
Get Watt in and Rogic on Sat against Hibs. We need freshened up and players who are more direct. Also we need to move the ball much quicker. We allow teams to get all the players behind the ball cause we move the ball at a snails pace.
I watched Basel, Bayern and the western Euro teams recently,and the got up the park in approx.4 seconds.We are much too static and predictable ,get the young fellas with a bit about them on the park.
Why don’t we sign sandaza and sell hooper he’s much better player I think couple games with celts he will get Spain call up
Lol, buy him then loan him out to 2nd div club so he can pump goals into sevco 4 games next season. Hail hail
I would agree with what you have written. A good idea to loan to 2nd div club and that would sicken the sevco huns.HAIL HAIL
now that really appeals to me Jimbo.I Agree also with Tonybhoy,Lennon does have his favourites and that is always a situation any manager should avoid.