Football is so much a matter of opinion. Everyone sees the game so differently that it should come as no surprise that one man’s Mooy is another man’s Milligan. And where are these differences most stark?

The fan forums.

Forums are all about expressing opinions, and while every opinion is as valid as the next, it can be interesting to read back over player threads to get an insight into that player’s journey.

Especially illuminating is the Tom Rogic thread on the Talk Celtic site. After some early ethusiasm, the fans began to air their doubts:

ILovetheCeltic - I think we should cast him aside for now to work on his conditioning, he's so stiff and slow and needs major work which he wont get if we keep him playing until the summer and then he goes off to rest. Can clearly see he's come from a lesser standard.

Oh Bhoy - is signing him just to boost shirt sales in oz?  A really average player it would be a really sad state of affairs if there isn’t better in the youth teams. He’s done f..k all in six games.

Metrobhoy – looks terrible IMHO.

Roscopicachu - I just don't see how he fits into the team. A wee loan in January with a view to moving him on is for the best i reckon.

Lecs - I don't really see the fuss about this guy. Hasn't done anything special when I've seen him.

Scrapper - don't think he'll make it with us tbh

Then came the dislike:

  McGuire1 - I had high hopes for rogic but I must admit I think he looks quite poor. Slow, doesn't like mixing it (tackling wise), wants too much time on the ball etc..

TheHolyGoalie - He started against Morton, what seemed like a nice, easy game to get him imbedded in the team and he was f..kin dreadful.

Metrobhoy - I watched this guy play for about half an hour and knew then he was a dud.

GMS - Waste of a wage if you asked me, he hasn't shown anything at all in his time here that he is worth a place in the first team. He was at best just above mediocre in his best performances for us.

Elephant Stone - I forgot that he existed. Pretty much sums up his Celtic career.

CelticBhoy17 - He's an Australian league quality player. Remember those idiots in the Australian media who said the Scottish league would be a step down for him etc and he was too good for Celtic.

Then the abuse:

McGuire1 - He's slow and shite, f..k him off.

But a change of manager and an end to the chronic injuries meant the fans started to notice his quality:

RegiBlinker - Impressive performance today. He has a great touch and awareness about him.

But not all:

ILoveTheCeltic - I thought he still looked too sluggish, just seems to lack energy and has no spring in his step, he moves like he’s about 2 stone heavier than he looks.

Dr Venglos - Not convinced Rogic has it. Squad filler at best for me

Metrobhoy - I find it difficult to accept Rogic is in contention for a place in the team. He has a fear of the game unfortunately and will never get better.

Dear Hunter - He's a decent big player but he'll never establish himself at Celtic, he's far too slow.

Og1 - Truth be told the minute i seen his name on the team sheet was the minute I knew that the manager should be sacked. Terrible judgement and an insult to our second best player.

In 2015/16 it finally started to come good for Tommy:

McGuire1 - Liked what I saw. Probably my motm. His touch is first class, his turns and tricks also but barring a couple moment's when he wasn't defensively switched on, I thought he did really well. Some good passing today. (See McGuire1’s previous comments.)

Celtic-renard - Up until the start of the summer I was expecting him to get released on a free transfer without ever really doing anything but I'm so glad Ronny has given him a proper chance.

Walkon - Seems a lot are changing their tune about him. Said a long time ago that I would like to see him played in the no. 10 role, this way way back when Commons was playing behind the striker regularly. Was laughed at and almost everyone had an opinion that he was shit, never make it here, get rid, etc. Boy's been injured a hell of a lot and only now getting a relatively decent opportunity to put a few games together.

Celtic Warrior - Rogic deserves all the praise that comes his way, he had taken his opportunity to cement a first team spot well in light of others being out of form. Gonna play devils advocaat here and say if he can keep it up he should be a sticker for player of the year.

Shane 1888 - Definitely his breakout season. Excellent considering a lot of us thought he'd never become anything here after a very slow start.

HWIGTIAR - His footwork is mouth-watering at times. He has an odd style for an attacking player. Not to put pressure on him but he could be our next gem. He's unrecognisable from the player we saw before this season - a lot more mature.

Boondock - He's been one of our best players this season, yet STILL people continue to doubt him. The guy has quality, it’s been evident since his debut all those years ago.

Celticbhoy97 - I think we have a real player on our hands. Have to admit I mocked the 'We have to speak about the Tom Rogic situation' guy, but I'm happy to be proved wrong - he's looking bang in form and deserving of his place ahead of Johansen.

And finally the love:

Dear Hunter - Can't wait until he gets fully fit, he could be a huge player for us if he can play like he did today regularly. (See previous posts by Dear Hunter)

Murphy88 - Superb today, and he has been very good since getting his chance in my opinion. Really classy on the ball, and has good vision as well.

Murph-E - Really high hopes for him now. I always blab on about wanting to sign more technically gifted players over "stuck intae thum" types, and here it looks like we may have a quality one of those at the ready.

Hakume - Lovin' this guy so much right now. Every time he has the ball, he's either looking to score, or to set something up. Fitter, less good-looking Commons?

HWIGTIAR - Here, whoever said he looks (looks, mind) like Riquelme on the ball is bang on the money.

Zander - Loving watching him play. I love his languid, classy style. Honestly excites me.

Scomur1888 - This guy is absolute class.

Mickcfc91 - Fast becoming my favourite player.

Og1 - I always liked Rogic. How could you not? (See Og1’s earlier posts)

Moravcic1888 - This guy can provide something we sadly lack....creativity.

Sean Daleer - Brilliant from Rogic. Absolutely f..king outstanding. He is going to be a star.

ILoveTheCeltic - He's skillful as f..k on the ball, so smooth and silky his touch and ball control, also great weight of pass and excellent vision plus hits a very powerful shot. Can see why he's being compared to Riquelme and Zidane, I compare him to Socrates as well. (See ILoveTheCeltic’s previous comments)

Z1c0 - If he reaches his potential we have a true Celtic great on our hands, unbelievable potential. Those feet are among the best I've ever seen.

Terrasidius - Love Rogic. He's always had the talent, was just unlucky with injury. Ronnie gave him the chance and he took it. He's making himself undroppable, imo.

McGuire1 - I'll admit, up until recently, I was still unsure. I don't care if it's some turnaround or sounds fickle but I've changed my opinion massively and although I could see his flashes and technique, I questioned if he could make it here. By f..k he can, majorly.

Packybhoy - He is some bhoy. Great to see how we developed big Oz and didn't let him go. Such an infectious big man. Love him.

Gyp Rosetti - Could nutmeg a mermaid.

Although some take the love too far:

\o/ - He's just such a beautiful footballer too watch. I really like this c…

Rogicisgod - He's divine :86:Lovely, just lovely Tom.

Philly67 - I am in love with him after that goal yesterday.

Celtic Warrior - I want him to adopt me and then go all Woody Allen on me.

After a very tough start, Rogic is arguably now the most popular player among Celtic fans – the player they always want to see on the team sheet when turning up at the ground. But the chances of that happening looked very slim in 2013 – 14.

So, from the fans’ perspective, how is Maty Ryan doing at Brighton? The following are from the Ryan thread on NorthStandChat:

GJN1 - Not really working out, is it? How long do you give him? Can't afford for him to carry on as he is at the moment, can we? He might be a good a shot-stopper but he hardly inspires confidence, does he? Quite small for a keeper too.

Albion Dan - Effectively he's given the opposition a goal start in 3 out of 3 matches. Gonna have to improve dramatically.

Stat Brother - Burn him.

TottonSeagull - I'm not sure why anyone is surprised. He couldn't establish himself as Valencia's number one. They got rid of him to Bruges (hardly a football giant). If he wasn't good enough for the Spanish League why would we think he would be for the Premier League?

Spence - Absolute joke of a signing. I've said this from day one. Keepers need to be well over 6 foot. What were the recruitment team thinking? This will go down as one of the biggest f..k ups in our history due to it being our record signing at the time. The sooner he is dropped the better.

Farehamseagull - Awful. Looks like a very strange signing so far. Would like Maenpaa to start the next game.

Poyningsgull - A waste of 5m. Goalkeepers need to be a big unit. End of.

Dwayne - Ryan is rubbish though, weird scouting for that one.

Brighton4Cambridge3 - Really very poor once again which is worrying. It's hard to be supportive when he seems to be unable to do the basics

John Byrnes Mullet - What a terrible signing and he is probably our top earner. David Stockdale is a clearly a better keeper so why did we not offer him the deal he deserved for his family and his future instead of paying 5 mill to Valencia and paying Ryan big wages. A real bad mistake by the club on this deal. Sorry to groan....

Kevtherev - Ryan is crap. End of...Holds nothing, pushes everything away straight back into danger areas...Begovic £10m ...Ryan £6m....i know who I'd rather have

Radio commentators were even more damning, but there were also some more moderate types happy to give him a chance:

Perkino - Ryan has the difficult job of not just playing for a side who has spent 2 seasons winning most of their games to a team expected to win about 25% of their matches but also he has to replace a keeper who was a massive fan favourite that most wanted to see us keep. Give it a few weeks and he will be a superb part of our squad

Hamilton - Not working out yet, but I'm not ready to make the change. He will come good. He just needs to come good fast.

With a clean sheet came the beginnings of confidence:

Albion My Albion - Prediction: some posters on here will be calling Matty Ryan the best gk in the PL by the end of March 2018.

One Teddy Maybank - Just to say after a difficult start, thought he looked solid today. Came for crosses with good protection from Dunk and Duffy, handling impeccable. It was noticeable he kept the team pushed up higher today, giving him space to come for things.

Bold Seagull - Thought he was great today, 2 very good saves, excellent handling, but also his communication and commanding of his area and beyond was seriously good, made some vital interceptions and was always there. Very impressed today

Hans kraay fan club - Literally hasn't put a foot wrong in the last three games. Can't believe there are still people on his back.

And now the beginnings of genuine fandom:

One Teddy Maybank - But that early save (?after two minutes), absolutely key, and given that is came through a lot of players and took a deflection, was absolutely brilliant........ Looked assured again.

Clarkey - That was a brilliant save. Really amazing reactions.

Ben’s Grandad - I was expecting Krul to take his place today but full marks to him he played well and with confidence so full credit to him. One point I did like was that in the last 5 mins or so every time he got the ball he went to ground to use up time, great.

He’s not yet completely proven himself to the Brighton crowd but he’s started to turn the fans around with some confident performances. The next match will be critical – against Arsenal – the team Mat has always supported (so I’m told).

Now is not the time to get starstruck, or you know what the fans will be saying…

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Adrian’s latest book Political Football: Lawrie McKinna’s Dangerous Truth is in the shops right now or available through Booktopia. Adrian also wrote Mr Cleansheets.