Australia boss Graham Arnold insists Tom Rogic still has a chance to make his World Cup squad - despite being left out of the final squad to be named before the tournament.
The Aussie playmaker had been a free agent since pulling the curtain down on a trophy-laden spell at Celtic after a career spanning almost 10 years with the Hoops, but has now penned a one-year contract with West Brom in the English Championship. During his spell out of the game, Rogic snubbed a Socceroos' call-up for personal reasons leading to the 29-year-old missing the World Cup playoff with the United Arab Emirates.
Since then, Arnold has admitted he was snubbed by the former Celtic playmaker when he reached out during his spell as a free agent. Arnold has just announced his 31-man squad ahead of their warm up double header against New Zealand, at home in Brisbane on September 22 then away in Auckland on September 25 and was quizzed on if the Baggies recruit has a chance of making the tournament in Qatar.
Speaking on Rogic's move to West Brom, Arnold first told Fox Sports: “It’s great. It’s fantastic. I’m so happy I spoke to him. He called me to tell me the news of where he was signing, it’s just so great that Tommy’s back. We need our best players and I’ve never held a grudge against anyone ever and there is no reason to have a grudge. He’s a player that’s top quality.
"He brings a lot to the national team but again, at this moment he hasn’t been selected for (the) New Zealand (matches) because he hasn’t kicked a ball in a game since May. It’s all about Tommy getting out there and working hard and making sure that he’s in the best form of his life.”
The Oz boss was also quizzed on if he needed an explanation from Rogic after he pulled out of the squad for the crucial playoff. He added: “He doesn’t need to.
“The most important thing to me is he’s happy. He’s good. He’s back on the ground, he’s training, it’s great to see him at West Brom and now he’s just got to get back on the field and perform.
"I’ve known Tommy for a long, long time. I know how Tommy is and I know what he wants to do. He loves the Socceroos, he’s given 10 years of commitment to the Socceroos and that’s never waned."
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