CELTIC will be denied the services of Tom Rogic for the first three or four games after the Winter Break after the midfielder scored a dramatic 93rd minute winner for Australia against Syria yesterday in the Asian Cup. The goal meant that the Australians qualified for the last 16 and of course Rogic will remain with the national side for the remaining matches.
His national team manager Graham Arnold was in the news ahead of the match at Ibrox on 29 December, after insisting that Rogic travelled to Dubai after the game at Pittodrie on Boxing Day, thus missing the game against Rangers.
Yesterday though Arnold was busty singing the praises of the Celtic man after his wonderful last minute strike yesterday, see the goal HERE.
“He’s only going to get better,” the Australian boss said to the media after yesterday’s dramatic win.
“We need to work in a way that Tom is key to what we do with the ball. A lot of times we don’t find him when he should be free.
“When you get him free and you free him up, then he can do anything. He’s a wonderful player and a joy to coach. He’s got such a will and strength to want to play for Australia.
“I’ve learnt from him in the past that when you give him freedom and make him smile, anything is possible.”
The Socceroos captain Mark Milligan also praised his side’s star player.
“That’s what Tom gets paid for isn’t it?” the Hibs man laughed.
“That’s what we expect from him and he’s brought those expectations on himself because he’s a wonderful player.
“He’s the type of player that when he’s on he lifts players around him as well. I’m happy Tom’s playing well. He’s got a lot of experience under his belt now.
“He’s been at a very big club for a long time. They showed how important he is to them when this tournament started and their reaction. That’s how important he is to us as well.”
The Socceroos will be hoping to retain the Asian Cup which is being played in the UAE and if they go all the way to the final – which is on 1 February, then Rogic will miss the Scottish Cup tie against Airdrie this weekend, the home league matches against St Mirren next Wednesday (23 January), Hamilton (Saturday 26 January) and St Johnstone (Wednesday 30 January) plus the trip to McDiarmid Park four days later to play the Saints again on Sunday 3 February.
So it is likely going to be the match against Hibs at Celtic Park on Wednesday 6 February before we see Tom Rogic again!
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