Close ally of Tom Rogic, Ron Smith admits he's in the dark over what the midfielder will do after Celtic - but retirement claims have been given an assessment.
The former Australia interim coach, who discovered and nurtured Rogic as a 10-year-old in Canberra, has been left guessing along with the Parkhead support over what comes next for him. Claims emerged earlier this week that the attacking playmaker could call time on his career at 29, after ending nine trophy-laden years at Celtic in May.
There is also a World Cup in November to think about with the Soccerroos, but he will need to get a club first before considering that. Smith told FTBL it has to be a personal issue that would cause an early hanging up of boots for a player he recommended to A-League side Central Coast Mariners at 18.
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He said: "I have no idea what he plans to do next, I’m as puzzled as the next person.
"It’s probably one of the biggest mysteries in Australian football. Whatever he does I don’t think it will have anything to do with falling out of love with football because I don’t think that happens to anybody.
“People only generally retire when they have to, unless it’s something else. It’s obviously a personal thing with him and what that might be you can only speculate about.
“The only person who really knows is Tom. And if he doesn’t want to divulge that to his closest people, it’s obviously something that concerns him greatly."
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