Brendan Rodgers has praised the career of Aaron Mooy after the midfielder announced his retirement from the game.
A year ago the midfielder was without a club 12 months ago but signed off in style by playing in the Champions League, World Cup Finals and helped Celtic to win the domestic treble.
Following the World Cup Finals in Qatar Mooy returned to Celtic transformed, alongside Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor he formed a versatile midfield that did the groundwork to winning all three trophies with the Australian particularly impressive in the final of the Viaplay Cup.
Mooy’s last Celtic appearance was in the title clincher away to Hearts on May 7, coming off the bench for the last 15 minutes and the celebrations.
It seems that a back injury has driven his decision to retire from the game which will leave a big hole in the Australian national squad.
Last week Celtic signed Odin Thiago Holm from Valerenga to battle for a midfield place. There has been speculation about clubs being interested in Reo Hatate, David Turnbull and Matt O’Riley but with Mooy retiring Rodgers will be wary of allowing any more midfielders to leave.
Speaking to the Celtic website, Rodgers said:
Clearly we are disappointed that Aaron will be retiring, however, it is something we absolutely respect. He has done so much in the game for a number of clubs and for his country and he deserves to make this decision on his own terms.
I am delighted for Aaron that he has gone out on a real high after making such a telling contribution to Celtic last season and that, together with all his other achievements, should be a real source of pride to him.
Club football and the international game will miss him dearly, but on behalf of everyone at Celtic I send Aaron and his family our heartfelt best wishes for the future.
Mooy made 42 appearances for Celtic, scoring seven goals, three of them in Edinburgh.
