CELTIC midfielder Tom Rogic is poised to win his first Australian cap in over a year after his return from long-term injury.
However, international boss Ange Postecoglou is not expecting miracles from the comeback Bhoy.
Rogic’s patience has been rewarded with a call-up to the Socceroos’ 23-man squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Tajikistan.
The 22-year-old was once hailed as the Aussie golden boy, but groin problems over the last two seasons derailed the Hoops star’s progress and forced him to miss the World Cup Finals in Brazil last summer and the Asian Cup earlier this year.
Postecoglou said: “Pretty much since I’ve taken over, Rogic’s battled with injuries and hasn’t been able to get himself right.
“I’m really pleased for him more than anything else that he seems to have his body right.
“He’s played a couple of games now, he’s in contention, he’s had a full pre-season.”
But Postecoglou warned Rogic won’t be back at his mesmerising best for a while yet.
The coach added: “He’s still nowhere near where he wants to be and, hopefully, 12 months of solid football this season with Celtic will help him get there.
“There are no real expectations from us about him playing a massive role.
“It’s just about bringing him into the environment again because he hasn’t been in this environment too much.”
Rogic celebrated his return to first team action with his first goal for Ronny Deila’s side in the recent 2-0 win over Partick Thistle at Firhill.
