Graham Arnold, the Australia national team manager, has given the clearest possible indication that Tom Rogic is going to be called up for Australia’s World Cup qualifiers which will mean that The Wizard of Oz will miss the re-arranged Glasgow Derby on 2 February.
Arnold has been praising Rogic and indeed his predecessor Ange Postecoglou stating that the Celtic manager has managed to get the best out of the midfielder who he sees as being a real leader within the current Celtic side. And the Socceroos boss reckons that we’ve still to see the very best of Tom Rogic at both club and International level.
“You’re always going to miss a player of Tommy’s quality – he’s an amazing talent. You’ve seen him at the forefront for Celtic in recent weeks; when he’s in this type of form he can be unplayable at times.
“The thing with Tommy is he can beat players with his tight control and has the strength to hold off challenges and the technique to score wonder goals (like the one in the 3-0 win over Dundee United).
“By the same token he can just as easily lay it on a plate for a teammate to finish (as was the case against Hibs).
“He’s matured into one of Celtic’s leaders over the years and you can see the level of confidence he has in every move he makes. To have him available again will be a big boost for us because when you’re without a special player it usually shows, in one way or another.
“He’s always looking to make things happen with a change of pace, a strike on goal or a killer pass – and that’s very tough to defend against,” Arnold told FTBL.
With the Glasgow Derby now pushed back to 2 February that will mean that if Arnold calls up Rogic for the World Cup qualifier against Oman on 1 February, as looks increasingly likely then Ange Postecoglou will have to do without his fellow Australian for the must win encounter with theRangers.
Arnold also has this to say about the Celtic manager And Postecoglou, who he reckons has brought the best out in Tom Rogic.
“They both know each other so well and there’s a great trust there,” the Socceroos manager said. “Ange knows what makes Tommy tick and how to bring out the best in him – and we’ve seen a lot of that this season.
“I think, in the mood Tommy’s in, there’s going to be a lot more to come from him, both for Celtic and Australia.”
