DANIEL ARZANI has played only FIVE first-team minutes in over a year – but the on-loan Celtic winger is poised to feature for Australia in the Olympic Games.
The 21-year-old Manchester City prospect made a welcome return to action when he came on as a late substitute for fellow-countryman Tom Rogic in the Hoops’ 2-1 Scottish Cup victory over Partick Thistle at Firhill on Saturday night?
It was Arzani’s first appearance for the champions since injuring a knee on his debut in a 5-0 win over Dundee at Dens Park in October 2018 – 445 days before his weekend comeback in Maryhill.
The problem cost the youngster any chance of featuring for his nation at the AFC Under-23 Championship in Thailand this month, which doubles as a qualifier for Tokyo 2020.
Australia face South Korea in a semi-final tomorrow in the realisation a triumph will book their first outing at an Olympic men’s football tournament since 2008.
Head coach Graham Arnold said Arzani has a chance to feature in his future plans should the Aussies successfully qualify.
He told Fox Sports: “Of course, he knows that I never would rule anyone out and it’s great that he’s back.”
