TOM ROGIC made his first start since March as he completed 85 minutes of the dramatic 3-3 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie yesterday.
The Australian international playmaker was involved in the team’s first two goals with clever passes for Callum McGregor and Leigh Griffiths as the champions twice fought back.
It looked as though their courage and perseverance would be reqarded when Ryan Christie rifled in the third from the spot in the 77th minute, but referee Willie Collum awarded the Dons their second penalty in stoppage-time and Lewis Morgan netted his second of the afternoon to deny Neil Lennon’s men a victory.
Rogic, who was on the brink of a move to Qatar in the summer, was a surprise starter against Derek McInnes’ outfit with skipper Scott Brown on the substitutes’ bench, but he repaid his gaffer with an accomplished performance.
Lennon, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “I thought he was great, I thought he was brilliant. I hope he stays fit because I thought he had a cracking game.
“I thought he played with real desire and hunger.”
Rogic is now ready to stand up to be counted with some crucial games coming up fast, starting with the Europa League Group H match against Lille in France on Thursday.
That is followed by the delayed Scottish Cup semi-final against the Pittodrie side at Hampden on Sunday where a victory will keep the Hoops on course for a phenomenal quadruple treble.
Ironically, Rogic sealed the Invincibles’ first treble when he netted his memorable last-gasp goal in the Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen in May 2017.
Three-and-a-half-years later, the Wizard of Oz hopes to have the final say once again.
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