FRANK MCAVENNIE has slammed the "criminal" Tom Rogic selection saga last season.

The Australian international, 28, only featured 31 times under Neil Lennon last season but has already made 24 outings for Celtic so far this term.

And McAvennie has been left scratching his head over how Rogic, who showed his quality with a fabulous goal against Dundee United, fell so far down the pecking order last year.

Speaking  to Football Insider, McAvnnie raved: “He’s just wonderful. I think he and Ange have a special connection, they are from the same neck of the woods.

“But I rate him so highly. It was criminal how little he’s played last season.

“Lenny was asking for more quality in the midfield and he had a fully fit Rogic on the bench."

McAvennie is now just hoping Rogic can stay fit and continue his run of form under Ange Postecoglou.

The attacking midfielder has worked with Postecoglou in the Aussie national team and chose to stay at Celtic in the summer of 2020 despite interest from Qatar.

He added: “We are seeing the best of him now. He’s playing with such confidence.

“It’s nice to actually have a bit of depth in the midfield for once. I have my fingers crossed he can keep his fitness.

“That’s the only thing for me. If he stays fit, he is a massive player for us.”