Both Tom Rogic and Daniel Arzani are integral figures to the hopes of the Soceroos, yet their current predicament at Celtic should have fans worried.
Arzani and Rogic are both rare players gifted with that creative flair that can unlock defences and lift fans’ bums from chairs. However, both men now find their progress under threat at European giants Celtic, as injuries and the emergence of new talent threatens their progress.
Daniel Arzani burst onto the global scene at the 2018 World Cup. His ability to dance through opponents with the ball lit a sense of excitement in the Socceroos faithful and resulted in Manchester City picking up the starlet and loaning him to Celtic.
Sadly, within a few months at Celtic, Arzani suffered a horrendous knee injury that derailed his entire campaign.
Now that the 20-year-old is fit again, he has a new problem to contend with: extreme competition. Celtic boast an array of top-class wingers, James Forrest being the pick of the bunch. The Scottish player of the year was on fire last season with 19 goals and 11 assists.
Along with Forrest, Celtic have Scott Sinclair, who was their top goal-scorer in the last two campaigns. They also boast two very talented young wingers in Lewis Morgan and Mikey Johnston, who have both recently impressed manager Neil Lennon.
(Photo by Jeff Holmes/PA Images via Getty Images)
While there is no doubt Arzani is a top talent, he needs the right environment to flourish and Celtic seems to have too many strong options in that area of the park, which will inevitably limit his game time and progress.
Tom Rogic is another Socceroos star plying his trade at Celtic, and similar to Arzani, an array of injuries have halted his progress and left the playmaker spending more time on the treatment table than on the pitch.
This run of injuries has resulted in the emergence of Ryan Christie, a player who has revelled in the absence of Rogic and produced elite performances in the Australian’s absence.
Former Celtic striker and pundit Chris Sutton wrote about his fear for Rogic’s future at Celtic, suggesting “his mantle is in serious danger of being taken by Ryan Christie, who is developing into the No.10 the club always hoped he’d be when he was signed”.
Rogic still remains one of the club’s top players but injuries have now jeopardised his position as a first-choice member of the starting XI.
While there is still hope for both men at Celtic, it is going to be an uphill task for both players to become regular starters and failure to do so doesn’t bode well for the Socceroos’ chances in upcoming tournaments.
Mark
Guest
Reasonable people can reach different conclusions. I’m a season ticket holder at Victory. I watched him play when he was at CCM, as well as when we came to us on loan in his second season at Celtic. I’ve also watched nearly every game he’s played for the Socceroos, many of those here (and some abroad) in person. Sure, I haven’t watched every Celtic match over the years, but i’ve watched plenty and I stand by my view. Comparing his level before he went to Celtic, which I suspect you hadn’t seen, with where he’s at now, he’s a bit better now of course, but he could have been a lot better. He looks very good against weak opposition. Sure, he may have had the odd good game against a big club, but from what i’ve seen, more often than not he goes missing.
Ptcowan
Roar Rookie
Your support is nice. I appreciate the feedback. However, I was a season ticket holder at Celtic Park before I moved to Australia. I assume you have seen a handful of games he has played. Rogic has played man of the match performances against the likes of Manchester City, Ajax, Leipzig just to name a few. Australia he was no more than a decent player with bags of potential at Celtic he became a star player. I would assume that Celtic would dominate even an all star A-League team, so to be so quick to judge that he has not improved at the club is quite frankly ridiculous. Your comment seems to be based on the knowledge of assumptions of what you have read rather than observed. Injuries have stopped large clubs coming in from hi not a lack of ability.
Mark
Guest
I tip my hat to anyone who has a go at writing an article, but I have to say I find it hard to agree with much of what you’ve said in both the article and comments. Rogic’s talent was created here, not in Scotland. He has failed to build on that talent to any great degree in Scotland, partly because of injuries but mostly because of the comfortable environment he has enjoyed, with limited competition for places in a team that is miles ahead of it’s domestic competition. While you say he can thrive regardless of the opposition, the evidence points to the opposite conclusion. He thrives in Scotland against weak domestic competition, and has played some good games for the Socceroos against Asian minnows, but in European competition and against better international teams he has done little of note. If Arzani and Rogic are good enough, they should be able to survive some competition for their places. However, in Rogic’s case, it is no accident that the big English Premier League move the Australian football media talks about every off season has never materialised. He’s just not that good, or at least as good as some hype him up to be.
Ptcowan
Roar Rookie
The blood and thunder of Scottish football created his talent
Franko
Guest
I think Azarni was sent to Celtic to "make a man out of him". If his body can get through it, he'll be better for it.
Voice of Reason
Roar Rookie
My 2c: Arzani wasn’t ready then and isn’t suited now to Scottish football. He should move to the continent. Rogic is a potentially world-class player whose body just keeps letting him down. Again, the blood and thunder of Scottish football probably isn’t the ideal backdrop for his talents.
CityFan
Guest
Arzani should never have gone to a big club like Celtic on loan as he was nowhere near ready for that standard. Another year in The A League would have served him better so he could actually see what level he is really at. Alas when the media build up players and they believe the hype then they suffer in the end.
Ptcowan
Roar Rookie
Rogic is a real quality player. The type of player who can thrive regardless of the opposition. Lennon's style might not suit him, however, in the past when he's been challenged he's rose to the occasion and Brendan Rodgers did find a system last year where Christie and Rogic thrived in the same team, big ask but not impossible.
Ptcowan
Roar Rookie
I agree with you, this could be the next best thing. Or it could spell disaster for Rogic, the mans a talent, cruising is a bit of a strange word choice, he worked very hard to get that Number 10 spot, so hopefully, we see that hunger return, however, Christie is looking like a better all-round package. For Arzani he's not good enough at the moment. He would have benefited a permanent move to Celtic and had a loan to a club where he could flourish much like other Celtic players who have gone on to to be top players at the club. Such as Ajer, Christie and Mcgregor.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
I watched about 10 full Celtic matches and highlights of every other match last season. For me, Rogic is really struggling. I hope he’s going to bounce back this season, but Christie should be in the team in front of him at the moment.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Alternately the competition will do wonders for them. Rogic had been cruising for years, Arzani needs to push himself to reach his potential.