KRIS COMMONS believes his former Celtic team-mate Tom Rogic has the quality to take the World Cup Finals in Russia by storm.
And the ex-midfielder, who left Parkhead at the end of last season for a career in the media, fears outstanding performances from the Australian playmaker will bring an avalanche of interest from big-money clubs.
Rogic, who will soon enter the last year of his Hoops contract, took centre stage again at the weekend when he scored in his fourth Glasgow derby of the season as Brendan Rodgers men triumphed 5-0 to pick up their seventh successive title.
Commons was impressed by the 25-year-old Aussie who was giving a standing ovation when he was substituted in the second-half, and admitted: “I texted Tom on Sunday and told him he was poetry in motion.”
Now, though, Rogic could become a target for impressed rival bosses during the soccer’s summer showpiece.
He said: “I don’t think that Tom wants to leave, but he’s in a position where his contract is running down and he’s about to go to a World Cup and you never know what can happen after that.
“Footballers have a short career and you have a small window where you have the chance to do something great. Sometimes you take a chance and it falls through and sometimes you don’t and then wonder: ‘What if?’.
“Tom has the opportunity this summer to showcase his ability in front of the world and if he turns in the kind of world-class displays like he did for 60 minutes against Rangers at the weekend, then clubs will be after him.
GOAL FIRM…Tom Rogic is grounded as he is swamped by Celtic team-mates following his opening strike in the 4-0 Scottish Cup semi-final win over Rangers
at Hampden last month. Pic: Geo.
“He’s a goalscorer and his ability to receive the ball has improved tenfold since I first saw him. He has awareness and quick feet and when you can see a pass, score goals and realise where the space is then people start taking notice, especially when you’re also 6ft 2in.
“But Tom is in the form of his life at the moment. He is not even having to think about things. It is all just coming naturally to him. He was in the zone. It was a joy to watch from attacking sense.That’s why I said it was poetry in motion in my text to him.
“If I’m playing well and scoring important goals and then going to a World Cup knowing other people will be watching me. You only have to play well in a couple of games to get a move. He could go to Brighton and probably get three times as much wages. Someone could bid £7million or 8 million for him.”
Commons added: “Brendan Rodgers will have real headache then because they have either got to give him what he wants to keep him here or Brendan will have another plan and they’ll spend £3million or £4million on a player to be their talisman. Ultimately. I think the No.10 is your talisman, your Messi or Coutinho.
“If Brendan’s relaxed about his contract situation he’s either got his eye on someone else or he knows he’s got an offer that Tom can’t refuse.
“There’s talk of John McGinn going for £3 million. He’s got 12 months left on his Hibs contract. The beauty of Celtic is they are financially secure and whatever money they get in they have eyes on the next target.
“It’s Tom’s choice, but he’d like reassurances he is that talisman, that No.10, and he’s probably like to play a little bit more football.”
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