Tom Rogic’s rise from special talent to Socceroos gamechanger was a slow burn from the start

EVER since he caught the eye as a 10-year-old with a touch on the ball that belied his large frame, much has been expected of Tom Rogic. But his rise to stardom has been a slow burn.

EVEN 14 years ago, the characteristics are the same — the apparently lazy stride, the foot rolling over the ball, the dart into space, and defenders left in his wake.

There was a moment last Saturday when Tom Rogic ran at the Hungarian defence, or rather through it, and it’s eerily similar to footage of the Socceroos playmaker aged 10 doing exactly the same thing.

Australia’s No.10 always had magic feet — it just took the professional game a long time to appreciate those gifts in an awkward, ungainly teenage body.

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WATCH YOUNG ROGIC DISPLAY HIS TALENTS IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

A fresh-faced Tom Rogic headed to England as an 18-year-old in search of a Premier League star. Pic: Ray Strange

For a long time that frustrated Ron Smith, viewed in many corners as one of the most astute coaching brains in the country and who first came across Rogic as a 10-year-old in Canberra.

It was Smith who, nine years later, put Rogic forward for the global Nike Chance competition that offered a leg-up to players who had missed out on a professional contract.

That was the break he needed, leading to a year with the Central Coast Mariners, then the move to Celtic — and finally the World Cup.

“I’ve always believed Tom is a gamechanger, with a special talent that not many players have,” Smith told The Daily Telegraph.

Tom Rogic evades the pressure of Hungary's Jozsef Varga in last week’s friendly. Pic: AFP

“But if you don’t live within travelling distance of an A-League club it can be very hard to get noticed. Also physically, I’d watch him as he grew up now and again and he was one of the youngest in his year but with a big body, one that was hard to lug around the field.

“You can’t rush nature, and it took years for him to grow into himself.”

That process only seemed to come to an end quite recently — Rogic missed the last World Cup and the subsequent Asian Cup through a groin injury that required surgical intervention eventually.

“These things happen — injuries, setbacks, it’s just part of football,” the player himself now says.

Injuries have held Rogic back over the years. Pic: George Salpigtidis

“I don’t have the thought that just because I missed the World Cup last time, that I have to make up for it somehow.

“It was an unfortunate time in my career, and I received a setback that was out of my hands. I think I can proudly say that since then I’ve bounced back, I’ve learnt a lot and become a better player and a better person.”

Rogic (L) celebrates with Socceroos teammate Tim Cahill. Pic: Brett Costello

In fact it’s startling to realise how quickly Rogic has kicked on from there, adored by the Celtic fans and signing a new five-year deal only weeks ago.

“Tom has shown at Celtic that he can create and score goals consistently, so it’s no wonder he’s been such a hit there,” said Smith.

“Every time I watch him, I just think his ability to weight a pass is something special. For a big guy he’s really nimble on his feet, and you watch, he’s really hard to get off the ball.

“Sometimes it’s a bit unfair on No10s, people expect something breathtaking every time they get on the ball. But Tom is liable to do almost anything.”

Rogic has always had game-changing abilities, according to former coaches. Pic: Brett Costello

Not that Rogic seems to feel that pressure.

“From my point of view, it’s about trying my best for club and country, doing all I can and on a day-to-day basis trying to improve myself,” he said.

“People will always demand more and expect more when you’re enjoying success and doing the right things.

“It’s not so much of an expectation as a personal target to become better.”

Check out more of Tom Rogic at thefootballcentre.com.au