Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou stage managed the manner of both the announcement that Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton were leaving the club after yesterday game, and the way both players were given their own very special moments during the 6-0 win over Motherwell at a packed Celtic Park as 60,000 supporters played their part in showing heart-felt appreciation for the two players who have contributed so much to a decade of domination for Celtic.
Bitton’s 6th minute applause and Rogic’s on the 18th minute – was the supporters own idea – giving each player an early taste of what was to come coinciding with the shirt numbers that they wore with such distinction.
“I couldn’t contain my emotions, it was hard, it was an emotional day for me and my family” Tom Rogic said to the BBC afterwards. “It’s a special club, it’s been an enormous part of my life. I feel like I got the perfect send-off today and it was a really special moment.
I came here when I was a 20 year old boy, now I’m 29 I’ve experienced so many memories in that time and I’m so happy that we can go out as Champions. Hopefully this is just the start under the new manager and in the seasons to come there will be more success.
“It wasn’t a decision I took lightly, but I’ve been here 9 and a half years and that doesn’t happen too often these days I feel the timing is right. It’s (this title win) right up there, off the back of last season, it’s enormous. On the back of last season we had to work so hard to bring it back. It’s a special season to go out on and one that I’ll have amazing memories from.”
“It’s amazing,” he said. “When I signed for this club I obviously knew the expectations were high. It’s about winning trophies, it’s about taking this club to the Champions League.I’m just happy to finish with this one.
“I’ve won a lot of trophies here, I’ve had a lot of ups and downs, injuries. But this club is just about winning and after last season, the players who have been here knew how much it meant for the fans and everyone involved to bring this title home. I’m just happy we did for them.
“There are so many memories. My debut, I will never forget. The winning of the Treble, an amazing moment. And especially this one, to finish this journey on a high, the way I wanted to finish it.
“I’m speechless.”
Here’s Tom Rogic speaking to Australian media…
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