Search

show me:

Arnie happy to let Rogic decide own future

3 minute read

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold knows he has to leave Tom Rogic to his own devices as mystery continues to surround the Australian midfielder's playing future.

Sydney FC coach GRAHAM ARNOLD.
Sydney FC coach GRAHAM ARNOLD. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold is only too happy to allow Tom Rogic to finalise his playing future by himself.

Mystery continues to surround what lies ahead at club and international level for Rogic, who left Celtic in May having made 270-plus appearances for the Glasgow-based giants in a trophy-laden decade-long spell.

Rogic pulled out of Australia's World Cup play-off fixtures in Qatar in June due to personal circumstances, with Arnold admitting he didn't know what was behind the 29-year-old's withdrawal.

Since then Rogic has been spotted training in Sydney but apart from a brief text exchange, Arnold is none the wiser on what the playmaker's future plans are.

"I get asked whether I've heard from him but you understand I have to leave him alone as well," Arnold said.

"I know what Tommy's like. I've known Tommy since 2010-11 and I'm not pestering him or sending him texts all the time.

"I sent one text quite a while ago to make sure that he was okay mentally and everything was fine and he replied 'yes' and that's it.

"I'm here to give advice if that's necessary but at the end of the day it's up to Tommy and his agent to find what's best for Tommy and then we as a national team, or me as the national team coach, work with him from that."

Celtic coach and former Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou gave a similar opinion about Rogic when asked about the situation by media in Scotland.

"Has anyone spoken to Tom? No-one spoke to him when he was here for 10 years either, that's Tom," Postecoglou told the Daily Record newspaper.

"I'd be more concerned if he was out there talking to people.

"Leave him alone, he's fine.

"He'll get his next move done and I'm sure he's in a great place ... I haven't been in contact with him, but the people I know say that he's got no problems."

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au