Brendan Rodgers has paid tribute to “Celtic great” Tom Rogic after the midfielder announced his retirement.

The normally reticent Australian issued an emotional statement explaining his decision, in which he detailed the fertility struggles he and his wife had experienced.

With twins on the way to join his young daughter in the Rogic family, the playmaker has quit the game to focus on his family life.

Rogic made a surprise exit from Celtic in the summer of 2022 after nine years in Glasgow and did not get in touch with Australia head coach Graham Arnold before missing his nation’s World Cup play-offs.

He then missed out on the squad for Qatar after signing for West Brom several months into last season and left the Hawthorns at the end of the campaign.

READ MORE: Rodgers highlights Celtic Champions League advantage over Lazio

Rodgers said: “I was sad, I have to say, when I saw the news. I haven’t spoken to Tom yet but when I saw it, 30 years of age is still so young in the modern game.

“But knowing Tom as I do, I know family meant everything to him and when you read his script of the reasons why, then I totally understand that.

“In terms of what he gave as a football player, in my time here he was absolutely amazing. You talk about big moments, big contributions, big goals, that normally defines the best players. Throughout his time here, certainly when I was here, he produced all of that.

“His contribution in my time was second to none. He was an absolute joy to work with.

“He is clearly very much family-oriented, which is nice to see. Football is our life, it’s our passion, but it’s not everything. Family is most important. And for him as a young father to spend more time with his family, that was also a priority for him.

“It’s sad that he has bowed out at this stage of his career, however I hope he finds the happiness and he has left behind many great memories as a young footballer.

“He will always be deemed here as a Celtic great.”