Chris Sutton was under attack for claiming that Celtic’s SPFL fixture at Ibrox is more important than an Asian Cup group match between Australia and Jordan- a week after the Glasgow derby.
The BT Sport pundit was outspoken in his criticism of the decision to deny Tom Rogic to play in Saturday’s Glasgow derby in order to join up with the Australian national squad.
Rather be in the thick of the action at Ibrox the midfielder will be preparing for a friendly against Oman ahead of Asian Cup group matches against Jordan, Palestine and Syria.
Unbelievable??? Celtic Rangers the biggest derby in world football Dec 29th is a week before Australia v Jordan ????????…it’s pathetic Rogic isn’t allowed to play… https://t.co/sg3KqqzRGt
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) December 23, 2018
It’s unfortunate, but he’s Australian and the game’s important to them. That Mickey Mouse stuff is what us Scots hate to hear about our game so wouldn’t be so arrogant to talk down anyone else. Horrible arrogance a la Gerrard
— Steven Clark (@hotbaws1) December 23, 2018
If only Tom Rogic hadn’t kept his nationality a secret and the AFC hadn’t only scheduled the dates of this major tournament mere years in advance, this scheduling conflict could have been avoided.
— Stephen Carlyon (@StephenCarlyon) December 23, 2018
I get why Celtic fans would be upset abd I tend toward club over country, but Australian clubs including mine will be losing players at vital mid-point for the comp. Sutton doesn’t get to whinge about a foreign player having national team duty.
— Sara “Big Persian Hair” of Sydney (@SaraIsSkyBlue) December 24, 2018
I’d attribute some blame towards the governing bodies who should align any and all internationals in accordance with calendars within the main leagues… That said, Australia are being extremely awkward.
— Celtic Nation (@CelticNation67) December 23, 2018
I generally agree with a lot of your views, however this time you have completely overstepped the mark.
Asian Cup is definitely not a ‘Mickey Mouse’ competition and the West Asian nations are overtaking the likes of Japan and South Korea in Asian football.
— Jolene Doherty (@JDoherty1) December 24, 2018
Australia is already generously letting him play an extra game after FIFA says he should be with Australia. It’s the equivalent of our Euros against teams that performed well in the World Cup. Have some respect. How many derby games has Tom already played?
— Mark Ritchie (@viduka1969) December 23, 2018
That schedule and Graham Arnold insisting that his squad get together on December 27 has infuriated Celtic fans with Rogic trapped in the middle.
Celtic could have had Rogic in Dubai on the morning of December 30- a week ahead of the opening group match against Jordan but the Socceroos have insisted that he misses out on the game at Ibrox.
Under FIFA rules Australia could have insisted on having their players called up on December 24 but taking them away from their family on Christmas Day would hardly have boosted morale with the real action, the knock out phase of the Asian Cup not starting until January 20.