Emerging Socceroo Tom Rogic wants to bounce back from injury and prove his worth at Celtic despite being urged to move from the Scottish powerhouse.
The future of Rogic, and incumbent Socceroos captain Lucas Neill, are hot topics as FIFA’s January transfer window prepares to open.
The 21-year-old Rogic has battled for game time at Celtic, playing just 14 games – nine of them as a substitute.
The influential midfielder, a key plank in the Socceroos’ rebuild under new coach Ange Postecoglou, has been encouraged to seek greater opportunities elsewhere.
Postecoglou has openly supported a move by Rogic to Japan, where he could reunite with his former boss at the Central Coast Mariners, Graham Arnold, now coaching J-League club Vegalta Sendai.
Arnold has also publicly said he would love to seek a loan deal for Rogic.
But Celtic manager Neil Lennon has indicated he won’t transfer Rogic, believing the Australian will get sufficient game time when fully fit to satisfy Australia and Postecoglou ahead of the World Cup in Brazil next June.
Rogic has only recently recovered from a calf injury and was an un-used substitute in Celtic’s most recent match two days ago.
“I have had a few injuries, which is a bit unfortunate,” Rogic told Celtic’s website.
“But it’s just part of the game. And it’s how you cope with it and bounce back from it which is important.”
Rogic has suffered a series of niggling injuries in the first six months of Celtic’s campaign but, while not featuring as much as he would have liked, said he had improved as a player.
“It’s definitely helpful as you’re training alongside people every day like Scott Brown and Charlie Mulgrew and I think you can only get better when you are playing alongside good players,” he said.
Neill’s future also remains uncertain with the Socceroo stalwart currently without a club after ending his stint in the J-League with Omiya Ardija.
Postecoglou has said Neill needs regular action to press his claims for inclusion in the World Cup squad.
The 35-year-old Neill, who has played only 15 club games in the past year, has reportedly been shopped to A-League clubs with none declaring genuine interest so far.
fadida
Guest
I take your point Stu, but there is little doubt re Rogic's quality. He's been poorly advised, blinded by the reputation of Celtic I'd guess. There are plenty of Aussies abroad who are no better than those we have in the A -league, hence lack of game time. That our players are so cheap may be a reason clubs are gambling in them
stu
Guest
I have no issue with the comments made in reply, however the crux of my statement was that these young guys are making a choice. The game or the teams in Scotland do not need to be the target. It is no secret as to the type of football played in Scotland, these guys make a choice wth their eyes open. My interest would be to see him move and evaluate how much first team football he gets in say the J-League. Perhaps we have an inflated opinion on the ability of these you guys, if there was not a degree of truth in this thought why do we have so many players 'on the bench' in overseas leagues?
fadida
Guest
Stu the issue is that the Scottish league is all about hoofing and a fast physical approach. Rogic, being a cultured and technical player is tactically and technically a poor fit with the league. His style of play would suit higher quality leagues like Holland and Belgium. His assets are wasted in a prehistoric league like the SPL
Marchisio
Guest
Stu, there are more reasons than "not good enough" for why players may have a bench role, they may not be suited to preferred starting line up there may be political reasons. I'll admit I don't a great deal about Scottish Football, truly they have a fine tradition, but what I've seen on the box in recent years is very poor. Celtic are obviously the best club in the league by some distance. Maybe their standard is better. Are you suggesting, honestly, the standard of the SPL is better than the A-League? I may have just caught a few dud games, but it looked pretty dire. Or is he not good enough for Celtic?
stu
Guest
I must admit my surprise at the attacks on the SPL and often Celtic when a young Australian decides to play in Scotland. The emphasis here is 'decide' to play in Scotland. The current state of play with young Aussies players going there is not the fault of the SPL. Rearly do I see in these comments that if these young guys are warming the bench they may not be of a suitable standard to play in the SPL never mind any other league in Europe. So we need some explanation as to why the SPL and in this case Celitc should be held to acount if young Aussie players can't get a first team gig. Should I suggest that they may not be good enough?
fadida
Guest
Great news Tom, learning from Scott Brown and Charlie Mulgrew. Two giants of the game on the radar of Dortmund, AC Milan and Arsenal. I initially misread the headline as "Bouncing out of Celtic". The worst move in Australian football since Aurelio Vidmar doomed himself to the bench at Teneriefe. God I hope he escapes the rabble of the SPL soon.
bobbym
Guest
Agree SPL is rubbish. Rogic's agent should get him out to Germany Holland Japan anywhere but Scotland
Mahler
Guest
The rubbish that the Scottish Premier League serves up on Setanta every week is evidence enough that Rogic should quit Celtic as soon as possible.
albatross
Roar Pro
Scottish what?
Franko
Guest
"But Celtic manager Neil Lennon has indicated he won’t transfer Rogic, believing the Australian will get sufficient game time when fully fit to satisfy Australia" A quote here would be lovely. I'd be interested to know exactly how keen Lennon is.