Simon Donnelly admits Tom Rogic is going to be a huge miss for Celtic.
But the former Parkhead ace believes new hero Reo Hatate can deliver on his dazzling debut promise and plug the gap.
Ange Postecoglou ’s problems are piling up, with more key figures such as captain Callum McGregor crashing into the treatment room to join colleagues including Kyogo Furuhashi and David Turnbull.
Rogic is fit and flying, albeit the 29-year-old is now also on the absentee list for Celtic’s crucial triple-header against Hearts, Dundee United and Rangers over the next nine days due to international commitments.
The Australia international has been hauled away to represent the Socceroos on World Cup duty, meaning his boss Postecoglou has the playmaker void to fill too.
Matt O’Riley was signed last week from MK Dons and the 21-year-old has previous for operating in an advanced midfield area.
However, having shown outstanding quality on his debut in last week’s 2-0 victory over Hibs, Donnelly is eyeing Hatate for the crucial role.
The Japanese slotted seamlessly into the Celtic side and, having stayed on the bench against Alloa on Saturday in the Scottish Cup, is ready to be unleashed at Tynecastle tomorrow night when the title-chasers head across the M8 to face Robbie Neilson’s Jambos.
Donnelly said: “The boy Hatate looks like he’ll be a real player for Celtic.
“I covered the Hibs game last week and he was excellent for the first 45 minutes.
“He ran out of steam in the second half, which was understandable. Him and Daizen Maeda hadn’t played a lot of football recently.
“But he showed more than enough in that first half.
“He played further forward as well, so you’re probably looking at someone like him to fill Rogic’s shoes.
“I don’t know much about O’Riley and whether he can come straight in. But I certainly think Hatate can fill any void left by Tom.”
Even if there are able replacements at Postecoglou’s disposal, Donnelly knows losing Rogic is a bitter blow.
The Aussie has been in sublime form this season and come back to life working under the steward-ship of his compatriot. Rogic was blistering under Brendan Rodgers during Celtic’s run of successive trophy wins but did not hit the heights last term with Neil Lennon at the helm.
A move to the Middle East were mooted as he struggled for fitness and form.
But Donnelly never lost faith in the player’s capability of returning to his very best in the east end of Glasgow and believes Postecoglou has been key in triggering his resurgence.
The former midfielder said: “He’s been back this season looking like the old Tom Rogic.
“Working with Ange again has helped him rediscover his best form.
“They obviously worked together with Australia and since the new boss has come in, Tom has kicked on again. He’s back to his best, so you are going to miss a guy like that when he’s out.
“It’s up to other boys to come in and replace him. That’s why Ange has brought in Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi and O’Riley.
“But you’ll always miss someone of Tom’s calibre when he’s not available.”
Donnelly never doubted Rogic during last term’s slump and added: “I was frustrated like every other Celtic fan but I never thought he was done at all.
“I knew the ability was still there. The frustration was just he wasn’t showing it as regularly as he had before.
“When you looked back at the stuff he was doing the three or four seasons before – especially in big games, cup finals, derbies against Rangers – then you knew it would still be there. It just needed something to bring him back to his best.
“The key to that has been Ange. I thought during the summer that the Australian link might mean there was still a space for him and that’s the way it’s turned out. He’s gone from strength to strength. He’s been one of Celtic’s main players this season.”
Donnelly was speaking at the Charlie Miller Football Academy tournament at Toryglen. The event, sponsored by the Nick Maughan Foundation, saw 500 children from across Glasgow take part in two days of action.
