TOM ROGIC’S remote hopes of being named in Australia’s World Cup Finals squad for Qatar are in jeopardy.
The stylish playmaker has gone from a Premiership winner’s medal at Celtic to rock-bottom of England’s second tier with West Brom in just over five months.
Rogic’s sensational nosedive in fortunes saw him miss West Brom’s 2-0 home loss to Sheffield United yesterday that saw the Midlands outfit crash to the foot of the Championship.
There was no sign of the popular former Hoops star, who won 16 honours in a glorious nine-and-a-half-year career in Glasgow, as the Hawthorns side conceded two goals inside 23 minutes to the visitors, the second claimed by former Scotland international striker Oli McBurnie.
THE EQUALISER…Tom Rogic stolls away after scoring a last-gasp leveller in Celtic’s 2-2 draw against Livingston in West Lothian on March 4 2020. Referee in the background is Willie Collum who, coincidentally, will be in charge when the two teams meet at the same venue today.
It has been a tale of woe for Rogic since he took his final emotional bow in front of the Celtic fans at Parkhead after the 6-0 win over Motherwell on Flag Day on May 14.
He was brought out of his self-imposed exile by Steve Bruce last month to sign a two-year deal with the Baggies, but the manager was sacked just 20 days ago following a string of disappointing results.
Carlos Corberan took over from the much-travelled Bruce for the first time yesterday and Rogic’s name was missing from his match day squad.
Aussie head coach Graham Arnold will have to submit his final playing pool of 26 to FIFA a fortnight on Tuesday and it appears the one-time Hoops hero is destined to sit out the soccer showpiece which kicks off on November 20 and concludes on December 18.
At the age of 29, it is almost certainly Rogic’s last chance to display his skills at the highest level.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and best action images from Livingston v Celtic this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
