BRENDAN RODGERS has admitted he is disappointed he will not get the chance to work with Aaron Mooy after the midfielder announced his retirement this morning.
The Australia World Cup star was only at the champions for a year and still had 12 months to run on his contract, but he has decided to get out on a high.
Mooy played an important role for the champions after reuniting with his former international team chief Ange Postecoglou last summer.
The playmaker, who will be 33 in September, provided an excellent balance alongside skipper Callum McGregor in the middle of the park, but, unfortunately, injury robbed him of first-team appearances as the curtain came down on a marvellous campaign.
Crocked Mooy had to watch from the stand as the Hoops overcame a stubborn Inverness Caley Thistle to win the Scottish Cup earlier this month and seal a world record eighth treble.
Rodgers, who is looking forward to a second stint at Parkhead after replacing Spurs-bound Postecoglou, told the club website: “Clearly, we are disappointed that Aaron will be retiring, however, it is something we absolutely respect.
“He has done so much in the game for a number of clubs and for his country and he deserves to make this decision on his own terms.
“I am delighted for Aaron that he has gone out on a real high after making such a telling contribution to Celtic last season and that, together with all his other achievements, should be a real source of pride to him.
“Club football and the international game will miss him dearly, but on behalf of everyone at Celtic I send Aaron and his family our heartfelt best wishes for the future.”
