Tom I can go the distance
Tom Rogic admits only one downside has come of Celtic’s Champions League adventure – the midfielder has run out of room on his passport.
But the Australian insists there was no chance of him jetting out of Glasgow for good when the Parkhead club put a new contract on the table.
The 23-year- old has spent much of the last month or so at 35,000 feet as Celtic flew out to Kazakhstan then Israel in their bid to book a place in the lucrative group stage.
The Socceroo touched down in Glasgow long enough to score in last weekend’s 4-1 win over Aberdeen before packing his bags again to head off on international duty ahead of Rangers’ visit in six days’ time.
Rogic missed the decisive penalty in April’s Scottish Cup semi-final defeat – and he’s determined not to slip up again in front of a home support after signing a new three-year deal.
He said: “I’m happy at the club, I’m settled.
“I always wanted to stay and I’m just grateful my future is sorted and I can focus on playing for the club.
“We’ve got an Old Firm match on the Saturday then Barcelona away on the Tuesday. It’s all a bit crazy at the moment but I’m certainly loving it and long may it continue.
“The club is massive, I didn’t realise how big it is until I was there. When you’re playing your home matches in front of 60,000 fans and the atmosphere that comes with it, it’s not something I take for granted or take lightly.
“The environment you’re in and the expectations that come with playing for a club that size and that number of fans, you get used to it in a way. You learn how to cope better with expectations. You get recognised – football is a major part of the city.
“That’s not anything I can change so I just get on with my life. I’m happy living here.
“We have to keep winning. That sort of mentality gets drilled into you. I’ve been here for long enough, I know what it means.”
Rogic starred in Thursday’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Iraq in Perth with a trip to the United Arab Emirates now in store before Saturday’s Old Firm clash. His schedule shows no sign of easing, although the Celt says he’d have it no other way.
He said: “We’ve had some unique games. We’ve gone to Kazakhstan and Israel. Now I’ve travelled back to Australia then off to the UAE.
“It doesn’t really stop. There is lots of travel in the next international window as well – that’s just part of it. You’ve just got to enjoy it.
“I’ve actually got to get a new passport – I’ve run out of room. I love what I do but nothing comes easy.
“It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of time away, a lot of time travelling on planes and hotels.
“It’s just part of the sacrifices we all make to do what we can, to do what we love. It’s not forever. We just need to embrace it and enjoy it.”