While the mystery surrounding the reasons for Tom Rogic pulling out of Australia’s World Cup play-off encounter with Peru remain unsolved, the player himself has been spotted exercising on Saturday morning in Sydney, at least putting paid to any concerns surrounding Rogic himself, whilst also ramping up the rumours regarding a potential return to the A-League, after leaving Celtic at the end of last season.
Aussie boss Graham Arnold has admitted his attempts to contact Rogic have gone unanswered, and with a World Cup on the horizon Arnold has pressing concerns over two key midfielders, both seeking clubs ahead of Qatar 2022.
Rogic has already turned down a move to Indonesia, meanwhile Aaron Mooy has also been advised he needs to find a good club in a good league, that’s according to Vince Rugari, writing in Australian outlet The Age.
Rugari has pointed out Mooy, who was heavily linked with a link up with former Coach Ange Postecoglou last summer, is currently based in Scotland after leaving Chinese Super League club Shanghai Port, and Mooy’s wife who is from Scotland, remained there throughout the duration of Mooy’s time in China.
That of course has led to rumours Postecoglou may rekindle interest in securing Mooy’s talents for Celtic. Although it also appears Newcastle United and his former director of football at former club Brighton, Dan Ashworth, could also be a possible destination for Mooy.
Mooy is 31 now and hasn’t played competitive football since January due to Covid restrictions in China, but proved his fitness wasn’t in question when playing every minute of Australia’s games last month against the UAE and Peru, before scoring in the penalty shootout that saw the Socceroo’s defeat Peru to qualify for Qatar 2022.
For Aussie coach Arnold it is clear he wants both Rogic and Mooy tied down to clubs sooner rather than later.
And going by his high praise for Mooy’s attitude in particular, it might be a question worth asking for Celtic, given the player’s connection to Scotland –
“What’s important is that Aaron gets game time,” Arnold said. “What that kid did is just amazing, his performance in Qatar, for a guy that hadn’t played for two months. The fact he could go into a friendly game, play 45 minutes, then a massive qualifier against the UAE, play 90 and then play 120 and step up for the penalty shootout just shows where he was at mentally, and how driven he was for us to qualify.
“Just as long as he’s playing in a good league … at the end of the day, it’s the players as individuals that decide where they play and I’m always there to support them. [But] as I said last week, no one signed a contract. No one was given any guarantees.
“The boys have three to four months to go back to their clubs, work hard, be in great form, great shape, and prove to not only myself but to everyone that they deserve to be on the selection sheet to go to Qatar.”
Aaron Mooy would have been on a hefty wage in Shanghai, but it came at quite a cost. Time spent away from family and tough Covid restrictions would have meant that money was hard earned, and now perhaps being closer to family may be a higher priority for Mooy rather than a a big wage packet.
Newcastle of course would be tough competition for Celtic, but that would also have to be tempered with the consideration of no guarantee of first team football, something as Aussie coach Arnold has pointed out would be vital for World Cup consideration.
As such perhaps there is some leverage here for Celtic when it comes to attracting Aaron Mooy. With a heavily rotated squad there is a good chance at Celtic for Mooy to get first team football and of course such a move would allow him to see a lot more of his family, whilst at the same time ensuring he was fit and firing for the World Cup in Qatar.
With Celtic keen to fill the midfield role with a new addition, and Mooy as adept at playing a No8 role and a No6, perhaps it’s time for one of Ange Postecoglou’s legendary phone calls to be made, as it’s possible the answer to that midfield conundrum may lie close to home.
And if Aaron Mooy needs any insight to life at Celtic, a phone call to Tom Rogic would surely be met with positive reference – assuming he answers that is!
Niall J
He’ll be 32 in a couple of months; whether or not Ange would sign him as a stopgap and hope to get 1,2, possibly 3 years out of him at the twilight of his career is another question?
Always liked Mooy when i seen him playing for Australia, particularly when linking up with Rogic, they complimented each others game well, but Ange looks to be building a young team so its maybe a non-starter?
Experience we need in that team aswell moony has got a heart and wont pull out of anything challeng and thats what celtic needs thats my opinion anyway.hail hail.
Mooy has a bigger engine than he gets credit for. He’s not lightning fast but he’s no plodder either. Can play the Calmac role at 6 or go further up. Great playmaker. He’ll spot Kyogo’s runs. No doubt.