Rogic set for a Euro strike role
From Back Page the clash due to a hamstring injury while Leigh Griffiths is suspended.
Rodgers is weighing up the alternatives and is set to plump for midfielder Rogic in a redefined role as the Scottish champions look for a lead to take to Norway.
The Parkhead boss experimented with the plan last term and said: “We could be going into the game without our two main strikers but I did a number of things last year.
“I played Scott Sinclair up front, it didn’t work, so I had to change it.
“I played Pat Roberts up there, who was brilliant, and some may not have noticed that in the Partick game for the last half hour I played Tom up there.
“Planning forward, thinking the what if ? That was a false nine. So we’ll see.”
Rodgers has been backed into a corner with Griffiths serving his UEFA suspension for tying a scarf to a goalpost after the Belfast game with Linfield.
Dembele is now also poised to sit it out, although he should be fit for the second leg in Norway.
Rodgers insisted there is no movement on Marseille’s interest in the French Under-21 star and said: “There has been nothing club to club from what I’ve heard.”
However, having missed training yesterday for treatment, the Hoops gaffer isn’t set to take a risk.
Rodgers said: “If he’s out, he’s out. I have to prepare for that.”
Defender Erik Sviatchenko is also a big injury doubt and Rodgers said: “They’re never going to be at full fitness. It’s the 24th of July.
“These are big games for us. But if it’s too much of a risk then no, I wouldn’t do it.”
Rodgers knows the loss of Dembele and Griffiths raises the issue of buying a third striker but said: “If you have two highly-strung strikers who are fighting for a position and then you add a third to the mix, it can work against you. “Some will say you can’t have too many good players but I think you
can.”