COMMENT:Leeds United's pursuit of Tom Rogic has intensified with Celtic boss Ronny Deila claiming the potential move to be a 'backwards step' for the 23-year-old.
Leeds boss and avid Celtic fan, Steve Evans, has lodged an official enquiry into the availability of 23-year-old Australian international Rogic.
Making only 15 appearances for the Hoops over three seasons due to a horror run of injuries, it was easy too see why midfielder Rogic had gone unnoticed by Deila.
"Last year, I didn't know who he was – he had been loaned out and had operations," said the Norwegian.
Now injury-free, Rogic has shown resolve and determination this season by netting six goals in 26 appearances across all competitions, while setting up four more for his Hoops teammates.
In a testament to his current form, Championship side Leeds have approached the Glasgow giants about Rogic's availability, however, the £1million pound valuation presented by the Yorkshire club is viewed as way off the mark.
Despite Deila claiming that every player is for sale at the right price, it seems Rogic will not become another number in the list of players that have been sold from Parkhead in recent seasons.
"Everyone is for sale – it depends on how much money you're talking about," said Deila. "But Tom is not in that category, no."
It is hard too see a transfer coming to fruition, with Rogic's goals from midfield a valuable commodity for the Scottish Premiership leaders. In the event that Rogic does move on to apparent greener pastures, Deila believes that a Championship club, such as Leeds, does not fill the bill.
"I don't think any Championship club is a step up from Celtic. They should go straight to the Premier League if they are going to go from here," he said.
"If you look at the size of the club it's not a big step up but the level is bigger and the intensity and the attention on that league is much bigger, and the money of course. The Championship is not a step up from Celtic, in my opinion."
Leeds are currently placed in the bottom half of the Championship and in desperate need of creativity and assistance for hit man Chris Wood.
Rogic can provide both those needs for Evans' side.
If Leeds are serious about fixing a glaring deficiency in their lineup, then Deila and Celtic's resolve will surely be tested by the Whites.
By Andrew Maclean
