Aussie midfielder Tom Rogic, or 'Tam Rogic' to the Glasgow Celtic faithful, has been in outstanding form for Brendan Rodgers so far this season after establishing himself as one of the clubs most important players in recent years.
That's why Celtic supporters were so upset to see Rogic leave the pitch due to injury right as the second half of Saturday's with Dundee. Rodgers' men would go on to win 2-1, stretching their lead at the top of the table to an extremely comfortable 11 points with two games in hand, but seeing Rogic leave the stadium with a big gray boot on his leg will undoubtedly have put a dampener on things.
The player who caused that injury was Ireland international and former Celtic defender Darren O'Dea.
@odea_darren a could have cried when you injured Tom Rogic,was so looking forward to him destroying the huns in 2 weeks ,cheers for that ?
— michael mccorriston (@mickmccorriston) December 17, 2016
@odea_darren shocking challenge on rogic!
— David Paterson (@DavidP1888) December 17, 2016
Wait you see Rogic missing the hun game. Odea is a fanny. Tam went home with 1 of they big grey boots on. No looking good
— Simply [⭐] Celtic (@The_Hoops_Fan) December 17, 2016
@odea_darren fur fox sake big chap, we like Tam Rogic! HH
— matt mcglone (@MattMcGlone9) December 17, 2016
The tackle by @odea_darren on Rogic was shocking he may believe it wasn't but I was in eye level with it and sorry your a lucky bhoy
— James Patrick (@martyonerous) December 17, 2016
Tom Rogic injury is a concern in this hectic spell of fixtures.Looked distressed when he went off after O'Dea clattered him.Fingers crossed!
— Brian McNally (@McNallyMirror) December 17, 2016
Think I'll wait and see a replay of Odeas tackle on Rogic before I give him dogs abuse. Looked shocking from where I'm sat.
— Chris Markey (@CJMarkey777) December 17, 2016
Absolutely horrendous assault by @odea_darren on Tom Rogic.Straight red every day of the week and has put Tom out of game for weeks.#thug
— Stephen Martin (@justStephM2) December 17, 2016
"Assault" certainly appears to be a big overreaction, but it is quite clear that Celtic fans were not impressed by a player they once supported causing harm to one of their current stars.
The reaction prompted O'Dea to publish a tweet of his own expressing his regret as he personally knows Rogic and did not intend to cause any harm.
I was with him through part of his rehab. He's worked so hard to get playing and become a top player. I'd never try to harm that. #Rogic
— Darren O'Dea (@odea_darren) December 17, 2016
O'Dea has been an ever-present for Paul Hartley's Dundee this season, playing in 17 of 18 league games for the side that now sit one place above the relegation zone on goal difference.
