Scott Brown says Tom Rogic used to look forward to retirement, despite possessing some of the finest technical ability he encountered during his career.

Yet his appreciation of Rogic’s talent could hardly have been stronger. Brown described the Australian’s first touch as the best he had seen and said he wished he had stayed at Celtic longer.

The former Celtic captain discussed his old teammate on The Warm Up, offering a glimpse of the personality behind one of the support’s favourite players.

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Brown said:

“Tom’s so good. He used to cause me all sorts of problems but it was a great learning curve for me.

“Brendan used to always put Tom against me (in training). It would be Cal (Callum McGregor) in one team, me in the other team, so Cal and Tom were always on the same team. He would be like ‘he’s going to cause you problems today’.

“As soon as I looked that way Tom would go from that side to that side. Tom was waiting for your movement. If the ball is over that side, Tom’s like ‘no I’m not getting involved, knowing that I am the single pivot so he is holding that area and he’s no interest in getting in that play.

“His first thought is how can he take it beyond me to drive forward. It was a brilliant learning curve for me.

“He was a strong runner when he wanted to. His first touch of the ball was the best I have ever seen anyone manipulate the ball. And I mean anybody. We could fire it into him and he would take it nice and delicate. He’s got size 14 feet, they’re like flippers. Disgraceful.

“Usually when you see guys with size 12 or 13 feet they can’t control it. The guy is so elegant, he used to play futsal. He came in when we were in Marbella in a January training camp. It was the first time we ever met Tom. He’s the quietest guy in the world, didn’t speak to anybody, kept himself to himself then comes into training.

“It was the first or second day and you’re doing wee short, sharp games and I was like, ‘this could be anything’, he comes in and he’s volleying things, half-volleying things, flicking balls round the corner and I’m going ‘oh’. Lenny’s going up to him (saying) ‘what a signing!’

“‘I would sign him aye’, literally after that he got signed and just went from strength to strength.

“I wish Tom would have stayed for longer because he had so much to offer Celtic and had so much quality.

“He didn’t enjoy football. He always used to look forward to retiring whereas I was the opposite, I was like, ‘naw, I’ll never retire, I can still play now’.

“He went down the road to West Brom, and went na, I’m going back home. He played in a charity game once with us but still chilled, laid back Ozzie. A great player, some of the goals he scored…”

Those who watched Rogic regularly will understand the praise.

He could receive the ball under pressure and emerge with it seemingly attached to his foot. Defenders knew what he wanted to do, but stopping him was another matter.

And when Celtic needed a big goal, he so often delivered.

His winner against Aberdeen in the 2017 Scottish Cup final remains the defining example: a moment of individual brilliance that completed the Invincible Treble.

There was a quiet confidence about him away from the pitch too, including his memorable reminder during Ange Postecoglou’s first season that Celtic were accustomed to occupying top spot for the previous decade.

Rogic left Celtic in 2022 and spent a season at West Brom before announcing his retirement in October 2023, aged 30.

His own explanation centred on family. Back in Australia, he wanted to devote his attention to his wife and children, with twins on the way following a difficult fertility journey. His retirement statement also expressed gratitude for Celtic’s support.

Whatever Brown remembers of their dressing-room conversations, Rogic gave Celtic supporters plenty to cherish.

He may have looked forward to life after football, but those who watched him in the hoops would happily have watched him for a little longer.