Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic reckons netting the late goal which secured his side’s domestic treble was a dream come true.
The Australian came off the bench to net the late winner, having replaced injured Hoops left back Kieran Tierney midway through the first half after he was hurt in a collision with Aberdeen’s Jayden Stockley.
Rogic’s goal ensures Celtic won all three major competitions in manager Brendan Rodgers’ first season at Parkhead and the midfielder says netting the decisive goal is still sinking in.
Rogic said: “It’s hard to put into words. I didn’t really realise what I’d done at the time and I didn’t really know where to run or what had happened.
“It’s a special moment and something to look back on forever.
“I knew how late it was, but I didn’t know exactly how much time was left. It was a really great feeling.
“It’s without doubt the most important goal I’ve scored. I’ve been lucky enough to score a couple of late winners but nothing compares to that. When it’s in the last couple of minutes it’s a little bit more special.” Rogic felt his side could have had the victory wrapped up earlier on, but praised the way in which the Hoops dug in to secure the late winner just as extra-time was looming. Rogic added: “We had a number of chances where we maybe should have scored, I was right behind the one that their goalkeeper turned on to the post. But it was possibly just a matter of time.
“It was just about being positive and I tried to take the ball forward, it opened up and luckily enough it went in.”
Rogic hailed the collective efforts of the Celtic squad in the club’s memorable campaign, with the 24-year-old adding: “Everyone has played their part this season. We have a big squad but we’ve had a lot of games, but to achieve what we’ve done in going the full season unbeaten and win the treble like that in the last minute.”
Rogic has sprinkled magic dust on Celtic’s season including a late winner at Motherwell and a brilliant winner at Aberdeen, but he excelled himself in the final moments of a memorable campaign for his team when he glided into the box and scored.
The substitute admitted fate may have intervened as he struck the winner just as a bolt of lightning lit up the sky over Hampden amid a thunderstorm.
“Someone just told me that but I didn’t realise at the time,” the 24-year-old said.
“Maybe it was meant to be.”