Celtic star Tom Rogic wants to put 'nightmare year behind him

Deila

Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic is looking to put a "nightmare" 12 months behind him and finally kick-start his Celtic career.

The 22-year-old saw his chance to impress Ronny Deila wiped out by a serious groin injury. The Australian has only made five starts, and 15 appearances in total, since joining in January 2013, spending six months back in his native land on loan with Melbourne Victory in the first half of last year. Now he is determined to put the past behind him and earn a place in Deila's midfield.

"It was a bit of a nightmare," Rogic said. "I don't want to get into it too much. I had a serious groin injury. I feel I've come out the other side of that. It was a pretty testing time. I never thought it would be as long as it was.

"But that's past me now. I just want to be positive and look to the future."

Rogic impressed in Celtic's 2-0 friendly win over Den Bosch in midweek and started again for their 5-3 defeat by Dukla Prague on Saturday despite the return of nine players who had been given extra time off because of international duty.

Celtic were well beaten by the Czech side at St Mirren Park but Rogic feels they can quickly improve ahead of the Champions League qualifiers.

Rogic said: "It's only the second game of pre-season. I don't think it's anything too serious to worry about."