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Only one thing cheaper than Rangers – a Graham Arnold apology

By Andy Muirhead

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Tommy Rogic of Australia shows his frustration during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Leg 2 match between the Australian Socceroos and Honduras at ANZ Stadium on November 15, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Tommy Rogic of Australia shows his frustration during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Leg 2 match between the Australian Socceroos and Honduras at ANZ Stadium on November 15, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) /
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Socceroos manager Graham Arnold has reportedly apologised to Tom Rogic for forcing him to miss out on the second derby of the game, so that he has him in his squad to face the likes of Oman, Jordan, Palestine & Syria.

With a week between Celtic playing Rangers at Ibrox and Australia running out against Jordan, there had been hopes that the Aussie manager would let the Celtic playmaker play on the 29th December and then fly out to link up with the national team in time for the game. But Arnold wasn’t having any of it despite his weak excuses and pleas that he wasn’t the bad guy.

Arnold, speaking to the Scottish Sun, said: “I apologise to all the Celtic fans that Tommy won’t play. I have also said sorry to him. I have known Tommy for a long time and I feel so bad for him. Tommy loves Celtic, he loves the derby and he wants to play.

“I know how big a game this is for Tommy — and I have spoken to him three times in the last few days. I can’t let him play but it’s completely wrong to paint me as the bad guy in all of this. Using Fifa rules, Tom and the rest of the British-based players should meet up with the squad on December 24. Instead, I have let half my squad stay and play in the Boxing Day games — but I can’t do any more. We love Celtic. It’s an incredible club and we have a great relationship with them.

“I coached Tommy as a kid when he was in Australia and helped develop him. I understand that he is one of Celtic’s best players. I understand this is one of the biggest games of the season. But I have to make a fair decision for everyone in the squad — and I can’t let Tommy play against Rangers.”

He added: “I would love nothing more than to help Celtic, Hibs and all the other clubs affected by the Asian Cup. But the situation is outwith my control. But if I let Tommy or another player stay, all the other coaches would phone and ask for their players to remain too. That can’t happen. We have a friendly with Oman on December 30 and I need my squad.”

Rogic is one of Brendan Rodgers’ key players at Celtic with nearly 160 appearances and 34 goals to his name – including five against Rangers.

Arnold needs his squad for a friendly against Oman on December 30th? I’m sorry but if Arnold can’t put together a team to beat Oman with the players at his disposal that have no club commitments at that time then he really shouldn’t be in the job. Three days is what Rodgers and Lennon had requested so that their players could play in their respective derbies, but now rather than playing in the New Year games, they will be watching on [if they are lucky] before a meaningless game against Oman in preparation for a tournament that has as much kudos as Rangers winning the Petrofac Cup.

As for Arnold’s apology? It is worth less than old Rangers when Craig Whyte bought them.

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