Celtic assistant manager John Kennedy has praised the impact that midfielder Tom Rogic has had on the Hoops’ recent games, suggesting that the 27-year-old is firmly back as a first-team starter for the Scottish champions.

The Australian international has provided three assists in his last three matches for Celtic in all competitions and Kennedy says the player is now a key playmaker for manager Neil Lennon:

“In this last period, he’s been absolutely outstanding. He gives the team something different with his creativity and the way he sees the game. It’s been great to have him fit, he’s feeling confident, feeling strong and long may that continue because he’s a very important player for us.”

Rogic looked to be on the way out of the club not that long ago. The midfielder reportedly turned down a move to the Middle East in September after Celtic accepted a £3.5m offer from a club in Qatar.

Persistent injury problems had led to the Australian becoming a peripheral figure at Parkhead but after starting the 3-3 draw against Aberdeen last month, he has managed to work his way back into Lennon’s first-team plans.

From Kennedy’s comments, it seems Rogic is almost certain to start against Hibernian following the international break.