Of all the players still registered at Celtic Park when last season finished, there was one above all the others who I thought had missed his chance and would henceforward never been seen, or heard from, around the place again.
Oh there was a chance, albeit slim, of Deila wanting a look at Pukki before letting him go, or giving Amido Balde an opportunity to return for a season and one last chance to shine … I didn’t expect those things, but I wouldn’t have been shocked.
But I never expected to see Tom Rogic again.
His career trajectory appeared not only to have stalled but gone into a great big downward dive.
He seemed out of contention and already three quarters out the door.
When stories surfaced during the close-season about us moving for Scott Allan I said they were clearly nonsense, because who was he going to keep out of the Celtic midfield?
Brown? Johansen? Biton? Mackay Steven? Armstrong? Commons?
It was the one area of our team where I couldn’t imagine any other player breaking through.
The Australian midfielder who’s name some could barely remember … he didn’t even flicker on the radar screen.
Ironically enough, I always liked Tom Rogic.
In the short time in which he flirted with first team football here, I thought he had a deft touch and a physical presence; two things that don’t often go together in a footballer.
Oh sure, he needed to add things to his game, but there was more than just a spark of a decent player there.
His fall from grace seemed permanent though, and I didn’t bother to keep in touch with what he was up to when out on loan.
I sometimes do, and I sometimes don’t.
I knew, for example, that Liam Henderson was covering himself in glory … but he was just another player competing for the same midfield slot.
His success further reduced Tom’s chances.
Imagine my surprise when Rogic popped up again recently?
And even more so when he started today’s game.
But boy, oh boy, did he grab his chance …
To me, it says a lot about his personality.
It’s the most cluttered, top heavy area of the team and he knows opportunities are going to be scarce.
To grab the one he was given, by the scruff of the neck, and to play as well as he did … he has a strong mentality.
Contrast it, if you will, with how ineffectual Scepovic has sometimes looked when his own chances (and there have been a few) have come along?
I am not knocking the big striker; I still expect to see him given a run, and to come good … but Rogic did what he’s so far been unable to do.
He was excellent today, not only in the way he took his goal – a wonderful little moment of reaction and anticipation – but in his overall play.
He looks like he has more to offer than simply being a bench warmer, although games against better opposition (with all due respect to Thistle, who have a young, promising team) will ultimate be needed to tell the tale.
Ronny’s recalling Rogic, and his giving him a start, speaks well of our manager and to the strength of our squad.
With eight more European ties now guaranteed we’re looking at utilising everyone we have available, and who still has a future at the club.
That can only be to our benefit.
Good days work today, from the whole team.
But in particular, to the man from Down Under, who’s back in the side and looking like he means business.