TOM ROGIC has been advised by former Australian skipper Paul Wade NOT to sign a new deal at Celtic.
The elegant playmaker, who still has a year remaining on his current contract, is in negotiations with the Hoops over an extension.
But Wade believes Rogic should hold off until after the World Cup Finals in Russia this summer where he believes the 25-year-old will be the Aussies’ top performer.
He also reckons the global extravaganza will be the ideal showcase for last season’s Scottish Cup Final goal hero to display his skills.
The English-born 84-times capped Oz legend said: “Tom’s an absolute gun and, without a doubt, is going to be our most influential player in Russia.
“If he’s got the baton and he’s running the show, look out opposition because they won’t know where the next attack is coming from.
“Tom changes his mind so quickly and fluently that he can make anybody believe anything and with one touch he can completely change the picture.
“I don’t have a problem with any player thinking to themselves: ‘You know what, I’m going to put in and deliver here so that I can get a new deal or go to a new club’.
“Whatever it takes to perform at your best, go with it. As long as you keep the team in mind because the team is the priority, but everything else just go for it.
“Scouts will have been looking at him for the last couple of years, people know exactly who he is and what he does.
“They will want to see him do it on the biggest stage.
“I don’t know whether I could put a figure on how much his value could rise, but just the fact agents are out there watching with such a focus on the next player they could sell to the highest bidder, that’s telling.”
HAMPDEN HERO…Tom Rogic is all smiles after scoring his stoppage-time Scottish Cup winner against Aberdeen last season.
New Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk started the Celt, who was signed by Neil Lennon in January 2013, in their World Cup warm-up match against Columbia last week.
Wade thinks Rogic is a “near certainty” to start in every game in Russia and emphasised he’s the type of player the former Dutch boss wants on the park when the game is on the line.
He added: “Tom is one of those gifted players who has all the touches in the world, but he also adds the work-rate. You don’t survive where he’s playing without the work ethic.
“Everyone says Van Marwijk wants his players to be both physically and technically at the top of their game and I have no doubt Tom ticks both boxes.”
The Aussies open their campaign against France on June 16 and then face Denmark five days later and Peru on June 27 in Group C.
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