New West Brom boss Carlos Corberan has told Tom Rogic he'll need to forget about his past and focus on his future if he wants to nail down a place in his team.
The former Celtic star joined Albion on a free after leaving Ange Postecoglou 's team in the summer in search of a fresh start. He was billed as a marquee addition, arriving off the back of a star-studded Parkhead spell that saw him lift six league titles among 16 major honours in his nine years there.
He played some of his best football under Postecoglou last season and won the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award for his role in overthrowing Rangers. And having earned a reputation for scoring big goals - including the one that won them an Invincible Treble under Brendan Rodgers - he will forever be remembered as a Celtic hero.
But the grass isn't always greener elsewhere, as Rogic has found out at West Brom where he has made just one start so far. Corberan, who replaced Steve Bruce late last month, brought him off the bench against Blackpool and watched him tee up the winning goal for Okay Yokuslu, but he reckons Rogic's past as a Celtic winner doesn't matter - challenging him to get fit and make himself a starter.
Speaking ahead of their clash with QPR, he said: “Rogic is one player who maybe needs a little bit of time to adapt, but I am watching and he is making the right steps in the right direction. That’s the challenge he has, and it’s the challenge we have with every single player – to get to the best level that they can have.
“For me in football the past doesn’t exist. The only thing that exists is the present and we need to be focused, ready and determined to win this moment right now and to give our best.”
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