Celtic’s key midfielder has an uncertain future this summer

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted midfielder Tom Rogic could leave the club this summer but is hoping he’ll stay into the last year of his deal.

The Australian international has endured an injury-hit season, spending three months out after damaging his knee, and doesn’t look like he’ll commit his future to the champions past 2019.

Rogic rejected a contract extension in February and could be on his way out of the club at the end of the season or the end of his contract next year.

He joined Celtic from Central Coast in 2013 and has gone on to make 128 appearances in all competitions, scoring and creating 55 goals.

The 25-year-old has won two Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups with Celtic but has an uncertain future amid interest from the likes of Southampton.

The Hoops will be powerless to keep Rogic if he’s determined to run down his deal but Rodgers is hoping he’ll stick it out in Scotland. He said, in quotes reported by the Express:

“Tom is a brilliant player, but you have to respect that a player’s career is short. I don’t think he is questioning the club, I don’t think he is questioning anything here.

“He is a young guy who was deemed not good enough for some clubs when he was younger. Tom has come over here and it has taken five years for him to really establish himself and show his real talents.

“In the last couple of years, he has been sensational. It’s just a life decision. Tom and his wife are from Australia. If you are a Celtic supporter, you probably can’t think of a better place to be in the world than Celtic. But there are warmer and drier places!

“Tom’s a massive talent and we hope we can keep him here. There’s nothing sinister in it. He’ll take his time and I’ll always support players, whatever their decisions are. Hopefully, he can stay and agree a long-term deal.”

Rogic returned from injury in mid-February to help Celtic win their seventh Scottish Premiership title and could play his part in the Hoops sealing back-to-back domestic trebles when they face Motherwell in the Scottish Cup final on May 19.