“I texted him and didn’t get a reply,” Socceroos coach’s Rogic concern

The Celtic Star

·5 July 2022

“I texted him and didn’t get a reply,” Socceroos coach’s Rogic concern

The Socceroos coach Graham Arnold is progressing with his preparation plans for the World Cup in Qatar but admits that he’s in the dark when it comes to one of his top players, former Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic.

Arnold has arranged a friendly match against New Zealand in September and plans to field two teams in that game to give his entire squad the opportunity to impress. Whether Tom Rogic will be taking part at the moment is a complete mystery with the Socceroos Head Coach admitting that he is concerned about his talisman who left Celtic after none glorious years service in May.

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Tom Rogic of Celtic is seen at full time during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on May 14, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“With the short turnaround between games, I’ll probably nearly use two different teams, and that gives everyone a good chance then to show me what they’ve got and whether they are ready to go,” Arnold said in Brisbane on Tuesday, as reported by Fox Sports Australia.

“That’s the fairest way to do it. We’ve got a good extended squad now of 30 to 35 players fighting to get into a 26-man World Cup squad.

“The best way to give them a fair chance is to play two different teams against New Zealand, which gives players the opportunity to showcase what they’ve got before we select the squad and to create more depth.”

After leaving Celtic, Tom Rogic pulled out of the Socceroos squad for the vital qualifiers, citing personal reasons but despite his best efforts Arnold admits that he remains completely in the dark regarding what is actually going on as far as Tom Rogic’s participation in the World Cup is concerned.

: Tom Rogic of Celtic celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Motherwell FC at on December 12, 2021 Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“I haven’t read anything, I haven’t seen anything … I texted him and didn’t get a reply,” the Socceroos coach said.

“I am concerned about Tommy but I know the PFA are looking into it.”

There was a suggestion on social media at the weekend that Rogic might actually be back training with Celtic as he strives to keep up his fitness ahead of whatever is next for him I the game. Rogic has already knocked back a lucrative contract offer to join Indonesian side Persija Jakarta and his career remains in limbo.

With Graham Arnold’s comments it’s clear that Tom Rogic is at a crossroads and will have to sort out his playing situation sooner rather than later if he is going to be included in the Socceroos plans for Qatar.

Every Celtic supporter will be concerned about this too and will want to hear positive news that all is well with Tom and his family.