CELTIC asked Australia to rest Tom Rogic for their warm-up game against Oman before the Asian Cup, according to boss Graham Arnold.
The international manager insisted the Hoops midfielder missed the Glasgow derby on Saturday to join up with the squad as they got ready for next month’s tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
Former Aussie keeper Mark Bosnich, once a target for the Parkhead side during the reign of Martin O’Neill, commented: “So Graham Arnold doesn’t let Tom Rogic play in Old Firm derby and then does not use him in friendly game v Oman either… very poor.”
That prompted Arnold to insist Rogic didn’t play on Celtic’s request.
He said: “We received an email from Celtic asking us not to play him because he had a knee issue. So we didn’t play him.
“Mark Bosnich has said I’ve left him out on purpose and that I’m a poor man. I didn’t do it.
“He’s got a small knee issue and it blew up on the flight. He’s here because he wants to be here. The most important thing is the fitness and the health of the kid. Celtic asked us not to play him. We have emails to prove it.
“Tommy’s great, we’re all fine, we move on. But I just want you guys to know – that situation that I pulled him in and then just don’t play him. That’s not the case.”
Rogic was a big miss at Ibrox as the champions toiled against Steven Gerrard’s outfit who dominated the midfield from start to finish.
The Hoops, with Callum McGregor filling in at left-back for most of the match in the enforced absence of Kieran Tierney, just didn’t compete in one of the most disappointing displays in the Brendan Rogers’ reign.
