Celtic's Tom Rogic says Champions League omission will only make him work harder

The Hoops take on the Italians in the first leg of the last-16 clash on Tuesday night, but Rogic will play no part in the tie after Lennon decided to stay loyal to those players who had got the club into the knockout stages of the competition.

Australian Rogic, who signed from the Central Coast Mariners in January for a reported fee of around £400,000, made a promising debut as the Hoops saw off Inverness in the SPL, but understands why he has been left out of the contingent for the biggest match in the Glasgow club’s recent history.

“I got into the club a week ago so I can’t have any complaints,” said Rogic, whose side, sporting no fewer than nine changes, defeated their nearest league rivals to go 18 points clear at the top of the table.
Nick Ross gave Inverness an early lead, but the Hoops hit back through Kris Commons, Rami Gershon and Miku to seal the win.

Rogic said he was happy with his first display for his new club and would work hard to force his way into Lennon’s plans. “You go out every game trying to make a statement, I guess, and show him what you can do,” he said. “I will keep working on the training pitch and the coach will see me every day so I will keep going.”

Caley have lost their last four games in all competitions, but manager Terry Butcher says he expects a response from his side against Kilmarnock on Wednesday night. He said: “We are still a threat, we are still scoring goals and we will always do that. The heads are up and we look forward to Wednesday.”

Elsewhere Aberdeen were held to a goalless draw by St Mirren, while Dundee United defeated Hearts 3-1.

Johnny Russell put the hosts ahead on two minutes before Willo Flood added a second. Michael Ngoo pulled one back for Hearts, but Michael Gardyne sealed the win for the Terrors late on.

Kilmarnock beat Motherwell 2-0, thanks to a Stevie Hammell own goal and a second-half strike from William Gros.

Hibernian host St Johnstone tomorrow night.