City can’t defy Rogic
SOCCEROOS star Tom Rogic has helped Celtic achieve what no side has been able to do this season so far — stop Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Rogic laid off an assist and was a key player in a spirited Celtic side that drew 3-3 with City in its European Champions League match in Glasgow yesterday.
Rogic’s showing was an assured performance from a maturing player, and delighted Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou.
“The Champions League is a massive competition and City are flying in the (English) Premier League, so the fact that he could make an impact was great for him and great for his confidence,” Postecoglou said.
“He’s continued on from the form he’s shown in the (Scottish) Premier League for Celtic.”
Celtic led three times against City, who went into the match off the back of 10 straight wins in all competitions under their new Spanish boss.
In a whirlwind start to the match Hoops striker Moussa Dembele gave the home side the lead in the third minute before Fernandinho equalised eight minutes later.
Rogic ran through the City defence, laying the ball off for left-back Kieran Tierney to score a goal, which deflected off City’s Raheem Sterling on 20 minutes.
The England international winger recovered to level again for the visitors with a well- taken goal eight minutes later.
Dembele made it 3-2 with less than two minutes played of the second half before Nolito equalised again in the 55th minute.
In the pouring Glasgow rain, the 23-year-old Australian shared set-piece duties and also flashed a free kick just wide of the City goalpost.
Rogic was substituted just before the hour mark, with neither side able to find the back of the net in the final 30 minutes.
Postecoglou, who will join up with Rogic next week when Australia meet Saudi Arabia and Japan in World Cup qualifying action, said Rogic still hadn’t hit his potential. “Tommy’s shown he can play at the highest level . . . his performances are compelling his managers to make him a bigger part of it.”