Chris Sutton believes that Tom Rogic has the touch and style of Mesut Ozil- with Glenn Hoddle backing up that view of the stylish Celt.
Less than a fortnight ago at Ibrox the Australian again demonstrated his match-winning ability with an equaliser that instantly silenced three sides of Ibrox.
Rogic is out of contract at the end of next season with a crucial phase of negotiating coming up around the World Cup Finals.
The 25-year-old missed out on the last World Cup through injury but has the opportunity to put himself in the shop window when the Socceroos reach Russia.
There has been question marks over whether Rogic can last 90 minutes week in week out but with his natural ability Sutton believes the midfielder is someone that Celtic must sign up.
“Rogic’s languid style can make him look uninterested when things aren’t going his way, but that’s unfair,” Sutton explained in the Daily Record. “It’s just his gait. In many ways, he reminds me of Mesut Ozil at Arsenal.
“Ozil also has that laid back style which can make him look as though he’s not at full-pelt even when the chips are down but the classic mistake which Ozil’s critics make are focusing on what he doesn’t do and not what he does. That’s the same as those who have a pop at Rogic.
“I’m a fan of Callum McGregor and I was also impressed with the signing of Charly Musonda, even though I’m mystified by what’s happening with him.
Scoreless with 20 minutes to ?go at Motherwell last weekend, I would have thought Rodgers might have called for the Chelsea loanee who was signed to break down packed defences but that’s neither here nor there.
“Rogic is the best No.10 ?the club has. Leading up to Christmas, Celtic’s lack of ?creativity was an problem and it was no coincidence the Aussie was out injured. He’s a huge talent.
“I was talking to Glenn Hoddle the other week and he said he’d caught his eye, which given the fact not many folk down south pay the slightest bit of attention to the Scottish game, I thought that was decent praise and very telling.
“If he’s caught Glenn’s eye, coaches and scouts will be aware. That’s why the timing is crucial.
“Go through some of the recent World Cups and you’ll accept that it doesn’t take much to win a move on the back of one.
“Average players have a couple of good games on the big stage and earn moves. Rogic isn’t an average player. If he turns on the style for Australia in a few matches, clubs will be banging down his agent’s door.”
Rogic’s Celtic deal runs until June 2019, the same date that Stuart Armstrong and Ryan Christie are out of contract.
With Charly Musonda also at the club until that date some big decisions will have to be made over the coming months.