Tom Rogic has been spotted in Sydney but is no closer to contacting Socceroos boss Graham Arnold.
The midfielder made an emotional farewell to Celtic on May 14 but has yet to get fixed up with a new club with the World Cup Finals looming in November.
After nine years in Scotland, basically his entire professional career, it is unclear what direction Rogic will take next in his career.
Almost all European clubs are back in pre-season training while the MLS and Australian/Asian leagues are in full flow before being completed ahead of the World Cup Finals in Qatar.
Rogic’s plans remain a complete mystery with the Australian publisher The Age reporting:
Rogic made an emotional exit from Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic at the end of last season after 10 years at the Scottish champions. He made himself unavailable for selection for June’s intercontinental play-offs, citing personal reasons, but is yet to disclose to Arnold what they were, and many football insiders spoken to by the Herald remain similarly in the dark.
The 29-year-old is in Sydney, and was photographed by the A-League Memes Twitter account on Saturday morning while exercising in Rushcutters Bay.
Arnold last week said he was “concerned” about Rogic, who he claimed had not returned his text messages. Professional Footballers Australia, the players’ union, has offered its services to Rogic but also could not shed any light on his situation.
After almost disappearing under Neil Lennon, Ange Postecoglou brought Rogic back into the fold and was rewarded by some classic performances as Celtic picked up two trophies last season.
At Hampden in December the Australian sent the pass through for Kyogo Furuhashi to score the winning goal in the League Cup Final, in April he equalised at Ibrox before Cameron Carter-Vickers scored the winner to give Postecoglou’s side a six point lead at the top of the SPFL Premiership.
There is obviously something not quite right with Tom Rogic’s personal life, which is having a detrimental affect on his career. It is hard to believe that a player of his ability hasn’t been snapped up by now. The World Cup is just around the corner and if he has any hope of making the squad, he needs to be back playing very soon. Surely he could do a job for a middle table EPL team or a Championship side?
If Tom isn’t attached to anyone by the end of the transfer window, why not have him back at Celtic Park? He knows the expectation levels and slots into Ange’s way of playing the game – let’s face it last season, under Ange, he arguably had his best or most consistent season in a Celtic jersey!