FORMER Celtic favourite Tom Rogic made his debut for West Brom at the weekend – but the midfielder was eclipsed by ex-Hoops team-mate Olivier Ntcham in a return to football to forget.
The Australia international was making his first appearance since his emotional farewell at the Parkhead club in the 6-0 win over Motherwell on May 14.
Rogic was hooked in 57 minutes by the struggling Championship outfit with Ntcham playing a starring role as Swansea came back to win 3-2 at The Hawthorns.
BIG DEAL…Tom Rogic is all smiles as he agrees a move to West Brom last month.
The Frenchman, who joined Celtic in a £4.5million switch from Manchester City in the summer of 2017 and left four years later for the Welsh club after a failed loan spell at Marseille, claimed the equaliser and set up the winner for Michael Obafemi.
Rogic had remained a free agent for almost four months before he finally settled his future by joining the Midlands side last month.
The 29-year-old playmaker was given the green light by boss Steve Bruce to take his bow at the club after working on his fitness levels.
But he didn’t even last an hour before being replaced. Making his day even more dismal, Rogic was booked as the team lurched to defeat.
Commenting on his decision to play the ex-Celt, Baggies gaffer Bruce, speaking to the Scottish Sun, said: “The only way we’re going to get him up to speed is playing in games.
FAREWELL TO PARADISE…Tom Rogic and Ange Postecoglou with the Premiership trophy after the 6-0 win over Motherwell on May 14 as the Hoops sealed their tenth title in 11 years.
“We knew it was a big call, but he’s played in training for the best part of two or three weeks.
“In hindsight, maybe to come on as a sub might have been the way, but we thought can we get a good hour out of him that will stand him in good stead.
“We have to get him up to speed quickly if we can.
“There will not be a problem with Tom, you don’t play at the level he’s played at for 10 years, he’s a very, very good player.”
