Socceroos boss Graham Arnold reveals Celtic asked him to rest Tom Rogic against Oman

Celtic fans are blowing up at Graham Arnold, but the Socceroos coach says the Scottish Premiership club specifically requested he rest Tom Rogic for Sunday’s friendly against Oman.

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Celtic fans are blowing up at Graham Arnold, but the Socceroos coach says the Scottish Premiership club specifically requested he rest Tom Rogic for Sunday’s pre-Asian Cup friendly against Oman.

Rogic was one of only two names from the 23-man squad not on the teamsheet in the Australia’s 5-0 rout of Oman, joining hamstrung Mat Leckie to watch the behind-closed-doors match from the stands in Dubai.

It further outraged the Celtic faithful already disgruntled their star playmaker wasn’t allowed to stay in Scotland long enough to play in December 29’s Old Firm derby, won 1-0 by Rangers.

The move also sparked criticism within Australia, including from former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich.

Rogic has been caught in a battle between club and country.

“So Graham Arnold doesn’t let Tom Rogic play in Old Firm Derby yesterday and then does not use him in friendly game vs Oman either … very poor,” Bosnich tweeted.

However, Rogic had trained separately from the team in camp the day prior, having inflamed his problematic knee on the flight into the United Arab Emirates.

And while Arnold would not have been keen to risk further aggravating it so close to Australia’s tournament-opener, he said he was accommodating Celtic’s own request.

“We received an email from Celtic asking us not to play him because he had a knee issue, so we didn’t play him,” Arnold said.

“Mark Bosnich has said I’ve left him out on purpose and that I’m a poor man. I didn’t do it.

“He’s got a small knee issue and it blew up on the plane, on the flight.

“He’s here because he wants to be here. The most important is the fitness and the health of the kid.

Arnold has refused to back down after selecting Rogic. AAP Image/Brendan Esposito.

“Celtic asked us not to play him. We have emails to prove it. I would like to get my phone out and show you but I won’t.

“Tommy’s great, we’re all fine, we move on. But I just want you guys to know that Tommy wasn’t pulled here and then that situation that I pulled him in and then just don’t play him. That’s not the situation.”

Arnold said Rogic would “100 per cent” be fit to play the first group game against Jordan this Sunday.

He was clearly exasperated at the situation, the latest chapter in the club-versus-country stoush that’s erupted over the last week since Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers implored Football Federation Australia to “see sense” and let the 26-year-old stay to play Rangers.

Hibernian boss Neil Lennon also accused Arnold of “moving the goalposts” on learning Martin Boyle, Jamie Maclaren and Mark Milligan would all be absent for December 29’s 1-0 loss to Hearts.

Martin Boyle was another SPL star to miss the Boxing Day clashes. Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images.

Under FIFA regulations, Arnold was within his rights to summon his squad from December 24 but allowed those players with Boxing Day fixtures to play for their clubs and then join the Socceroos in camp straight afterwards.

He reasoned that to let one or some players to remain with their clubs even longer would set a precedent for the rest of his squad.

“It was always very clear,” Arnold said.

“When you receive nice text messages from other coaches thanking me for letting me for let my players stay Boxing Day and performing well.

“Maty Ryan at Brighton, Jackson Irvine scoring two goals for Hull, when they shouldn’t have been there Boxing Day. It was always clear.”

Originally published as Socceroos boss Graham Arnold reveals Celtic asked him to rest Tom Rogic against Oman