Canberra: Australia’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes have suffered a blow with playmaker and Celtic star Tom Rogic set to miss at least two months through injury.
The 24-year-old (pictured right) will be unavailable for two crucial Russia 2018 qualifiers – against Iraq in Tehran on March 23, and United Arab Emirates in Sydney five days later – after undergoing surgery on his ankle.
Rogic’s club boss Brendan Rodgers revealed the attacking midfielder had aggravated an existing injury, which had already kept him on the sidelines since December 17.
"He had to have an operation. It was unfortunate, it was right at the end of training, the same spot where he had it before,” said the Celtic manager. "His foot stuck in the ground and he did a full twist on it."
"He will be back for the end of the season, it is a disappointment that he will miss up to eight weeks,” the former Liverpool boss added.
Prior to his injury woes, Rogic had been enjoying a fruitful season at Celtic Park, scoring ten goals in 27 matches for the Hoops, who enjoy a commanding 27 point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
This followed an excellent 2015-16 season, which culminated in a Scottish league title and Celtic’s goal of the season award, for a sensational long range strike against Kilmarnock.
He has also become a regular starter in Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos setup, contributing five goals in World Cup qualifying and, with two crucial fixtures to come in March; his injury comes at a less than ideal time.
Consecutive draws, against Japan and Thailand, have seen Australia drop to third place at the half-way point of the final group stage of the Asian World Cup qualifying, with only the top two teams from the group to quality automatically for Russia 2018.
Rogic is expected to return in time for the qualifier against Saudi Arabia in June, as well as the FIFA Confederations Cup, which will see Australia line up against Germany, Chile and newly-crowned African champions Cameroon.
Photo: AFP
Source: the-afc.com