Some players are single-handedly worth the price of the admission fee and garner a hero status thanks to their exploits on the football pitch.

Celtic are quite lucky in this sense because they have had many players who fit the bill in terms of their show-stealing talent. From the brilliance of Jimmy ‘Jinky’ Johnstone in the 1960s and 70s, to the predatory instincts of Henrik Larsson at the turn and beginning of the new millennium, you do not have to look far in Celtic’s history to find iconic figures that have pulled on the famous green and white hoops.

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This morning, one of Celtic’s most impactful and heroic players over the past decade decided to hang up his boots and retire from the ‘beautiful game’, in the shape of Tom Rogic, who played it that way. The attacking midfielder, who was most recently at English Championship side West Bromwich Albion, decided to call time on his illustrious career to focus on family life with his wife and young children. The emotional statement confirming this news – posted on Instagram – has been shared and liked thousands of times already, with the number rising as the day goes on as more of his former teammates flood the comments with messages of support.

Six league titles, five Scottish Cups and five League Cups, amounting to a grand total of 16 honours during his nine-year spell at Celtic. Quite the trophy haul, but the silverware does not even begin to tell the whole story of Rogic’s Celtic journey.

You see, the tall midfielder had to put in the hard yards and graft for his opportunity in Glasgow, even before he joined the club. Indeed, Rogic gained his breakthrough in football thanks to his participation in ‘The Chance’, hosted by the Nike Football Academy. He was one of the seven winners out of 75,000 contestants all over the world, and arguably the biggest success story to come out of the competition in terms of career milestones and achievements.

From there, he earned a contract with Central Coast Mariners in the A-League, before catching the eye of Celtic, under the management of Neil Lennon. After training with the side in January 2013, he joined the club a week later, before making his debut in the Highlands against Inverness Caledonian Thistle the following month, assisting Kris Commons for the equalising goal.

For such an iconic figure of modern-day Celtic, his first couple of years were pretty uninspiring, to say the least. A mixture of injury – particularly to his groin - and lack of game-time led Rogic to go out on loan in his homeland to Melbourne Victory, in a return to the A-League, which was also blighted by injury. His long-term career at his parent club was uncertain until a certain Norwegian coach took the reins at Celtic Park.

This was to be the start of a very special seven years for the creative midfielder, as he would flourish under the guidance of Ronny Deila, making himself a mainstay in the Celtic team when fit. Possessing guile, agility and a keen eye for the spectacular, Rogic quickly became a fan favourite at the club, at a time when many had become disillusioned with Celtic and the way they were being run. This almost-united feeling was to hit its crescendo at Hampden when Celtic lost to then-Championship side Rangers on penalties in 2016, with Rogic himself missing the game-deciding spot-kick.

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Despite scoring earlier on in that same game, the midfielder would have felt responsible for his side’s shock exit. Little did he know that this action set the wheels in motion for what would be his most successful period as a Celtic player.

Deila resigned and was replaced by Brendan Rodgers, a man known for getting the best out of individuals, particularly creative ones in the midfield. This was a match made in heaven for both player and manager, as Rodgers managed to get the best out of the mercurial talent on the park, whilst Rogic committed his future to the club off of it. A constant for Celtic both domestically and in European competition, he would right the wrongs of that penalty miss a little over a year later at the national stadium.

Not forgetting his goal against Aberdeen in the League Cup final, Rogic would atone for his error in perfect style, as he played his part in one of the most memorable days in Celtic’s modern history against the very same opponents. May 25, 1967, no doubt resonates with every fan as being the best day in the club’s illustrious history, but May 27, 2017, will take some beating, especially in the modern age.

With the score tied at 1-1 heading into stoppage time, Rogic decides to go on a trademark mazy run into the box to force the issue. Like something out of a biblical passage, Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen defence parts like the footballing Red Sea and Celtic’s number 18 slots a low shot past Joe Lewis in the opposition’s goals. In doing so, an unprecedented invincible treble was achieved, and a hero was born in the shape of the Australian.

Further success would follow under Rodgers before his departure opened the door to a return for Lennon, the man who signed Rogic in the first place. Despite his breakthrough into the first team during his time away, he played a bit-part role again under the Irishman. His place in history was secured, but it seemed like his Celtic career was going to go out with a whimper, rather than the grandstand a player like himself deserved.

That changed when Ange Postecoglou was brought to the club, with whom Rogic had worked with during his spell as Australia’s manager. Again, both helped each other due to their familiarity with each other’s strengths and methodologies. In a final season akin to Michael Jordan’s ‘Last Dance’, Rogic and Celtic managed to wrestle the title off of Rangers at the first attempt, winning two trophies out of a possible three that season, in what was his swansong campaign at the club.

Alongside fellow midfielder Nir Bitton on Trophy Day, Rogic got a rapturous standing ovation from the home support as he made his way off the pitch. A fitting end to a momentous Celtic career, one he can look back on with immense pride and accomplishment.

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With a grand total of 273 appearances and 46 goals for Celtic in nine years at the club, Rogic’s impact will not be forgotten in a hurry. Despite not possessing the engine to play full games, you knew the 60 minutes you could get out of him could be spectacular if he was on the ball that day. From big goals against Rangers to important strikes in domestic and European cup competitions, Rogic was a big-game player.

In the eyes of many different generations of supporters following the football club, there are players that define each era in terms of Celtic. For some, Rogic will be that very player for fans when reminiscing in years to come...