Arnold reunion set to spur Socceroos star Rogic

A reunion with coach Graham Arnold could be the perfect formula for mercurial Socceroos midfielder Tom Rogic to take his game to the next level.

Tom Rogic

Socceroos midfielder Tom Rogic Source: FIFA

Arnold will lead the Socceroos as coach for the first time early on Tuesday morning (AEDT) when they take on Kuwait at the Al Kuwait Sports Club. 

Expected to play a major role for the Socceroos will be Rogic, the mercurial midfielder who broke through at Central Coast Mariners in 2012 after he was identified as a future star by Arnold.

While both player and coach have come a long way over the past six years, Rogic and Arnold will be hoping to rediscover the magic they had during the Mariners' 2012-13 A-League championship winning season.

Now a star with Scottish Premiership giants Celtic, Rogic said he was looking forward to playing under Arnold once again and revealed the Socceroos coach had a special plan to get the most out of him.

"Graham (Arnold) was my first manager in professional football. Fast forward six years and it would be fair to say he has learnt a lot and become a better manager while I feel like I have become a better player myself," Rogic said.

"In my role on the the pitch, there is always an element of freedom and Arnie has put more of an emphasis on that which is something I'm looking forward too.

"As an attacking player, you are always looking to contribute whether it is creating or scoring and nothing has changed under Arnie."

Rogic will be an important part of the Socceroos' AFC Asian Cup title defence in January as Australia adopts Arnold's plan of free-flowing attacking football.

Now with 40 Socceroos caps to his name, the Celtic star said he feels more comfortable in the national team set-up and hopes his best is yet to come.

"I think I have matured quite a bit since I was first called into the team," he said.

"I'm 25 now and have played a lot of games for Australia but I have so much more to give both for club and country.

"I think I can speak for the rest of the squad when I say putting on the Australia jersey and representing your country is a massive occasion."

While its been all business on the training paddock during last week's training camp in Dubai, Rogic said there was a great atmosphere amongst the squad leading into Tuesday's (AEDT) match.

"It's a very exciting time for the Socceroos and the environment which has been created on and off the pitch has been great," Rogic said.

"It seems like everything has been set up to give everyone the best chance to perform to their best and maybe even take their game to another level.

"It is early days, but it is very exciting and as a player it is something I'm looking forward to."


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3 min read
Published 15 October 2018 1:55pm
By Nick Houghton

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