AUSTRALIA BOSS Graham Arnold has hit back at people painting him as the bad guy and insisted he has apologised to Tom Rogic as well as the Celtic fans for taking the midfielder away from the bhoys Ibrox showdown.
Tom would have been a certain starter in Govan this weekend, but because of the Socceroos involvement in the Asia Cup, the player will have to Scotland straight after the Aberdeen game on Boxing day to join up with his International teammates in Dubai.
Arnold, who has visited Celtic’s top training facilities in the last three months has apologised profusely for the situation but insists he can’t give Tom three more days in Glasgow and is hiding behind the FIFA rulebook.
“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.” Arnold told SunSport.
“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.
“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.”
Tom Rogic has been a big game player for Celtic in the Derby in recent times. His effort last season sparked Celtic into life in the 3-2 win as well as scoring against them at Hampden and the previous game at Ibrox.
It’s a big blow to Celtic; they have the players to cover him but not having the Wizard of Oz to call upon is certainly not ideal.
If I were Big Tommy and I had a chance to get closer to members of my own family at anytime of the year. I would grab that chance. And as much as I respect Bob Shankly. Something’s ARE bigger than football. And it is about five times more clement in and around Oz.
Some common sense should have been shown here by the Australian coach and it hasn’t.
The fact that he has apologised shows that he knows he is being unreasonable.
Graham Arnold, Shove your fake apology up your Arse.
I had two great football loves Glasgow Celtic and the Aussie football side I am afraid that Arnold’s attempt to put his own ego and agenda first for what is only an unimportant unannounced friendly makes the latter much harder to be enthusiastic about.
Typical Aussie thick as shit Tom is such a good guy he just goes with it anyway hope they get pumped Hail Hail