Mariners' Rogic off to join Celtic

Young playmaker Tomas Rogic is poised to follow in Mark Viduka’s footsteps by joining Celtic in Scotland after A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners agreed terms for his transfer.

Recently capped for Australia, the highly-regarded Rogic has been trialling with the Scottish giants at their mid-season camp in Spain.

And he will now travel to Glasgow to discuss personal terms with the club after gaining clearance when the Mariners agreed to transfer terms on Wednesday.

It’s another big step in the rapid rise of 20-year-old Rogic, who has only held a professional contract for one year.

It’s believed Celtic consider him first-team material in the short term, meaning he could even be involved in the club’s Champions League games against Juventus next month.

Clubs who reach the last 16 of the Champions League are permitted to add three players to their registered European squads by February 1.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity. Celtic’s a massive club. Obviously he has to settle his personal terms with them but the clubs have agreed and it’s a great move for him,” said Central Coast football general manager Lawrie McKinna.

“They’re playing in the Champions League this year – they’ll be playing in the Champions League next year.

“Mark Viduka went there as a stepping stone and it was great for him and, with the style of play there, I think he’ll (Rogic) go over and be a standout.”

McKinna added the move was also great for the Mariners.

“It puts us on the map with another big club. He’s had EPL teams like QPR and Fulham and Reading interested in him as well.

“It speaks volumes for what the boy has achieved in a year and a half.”

The Mariners could lose more players before the January transfer window closes with goalkeeper Mat Ryan and striker Bernie Ibini both attracting interest in Europe.

Ryan was linked with a move to fallen Scottish giants Rangers but McKinna said that deal fell through because the Glasgow club couldn’t guarantee which division they would be playing in next season.

The ‘keeper continues to be linked with Danish club Randers while Ibini is trialling with Belgian heavyweights Club Brugge.

McKinna said the Mariners would consider bringing in new players if needed but only if they fitted the mould of what coach Graham Arnold was after.

“It’s something we may look at but we need to see who’s available to fit into the squad,” he said.

“Arnie will sit down and have a look at a few targets he might have and then we have to see if we can fit them in and if they fit into Arnie’s plans.

“We’re not going to bring a body in just for the sake of it.”