Rogic eager to impress with Victory

Melbourne Victory signing Tom Rogic says his decision to join Kevin Muscat’s side on loan until the end of the season is the best one for him.

Melbourne Victory signing Tom Rogic says his decision to join Kevin Muscat’s side on loan until the end of the season is the best one for him.

Eager to break into Ange Postecoglou’s World Cup squad, the young Socceroos midfielder is back in the A-League almost a year to the day since he signed for Scottish giants Celtic from Central Coast Mariners.

The move means Rogic could potentially play up to 20 matches before the end of May, including 11 regular season A-League matches plus finals and the Asian Champions League.

In Scotland he would have spent the next five months as a bit-part player, only used off the bench in the SPL, if not mired in reserved grade football.

Some pundits suggest returning to the A-League is a backward step for the 21-year-old, arguing that he has already proven to be a star in Australia, and that overseas football would best prepare Rogic for the cauldron that awaits in Brazil.

However Rogic has no regrets about temporarily leaving behind the potentially immense opportunities on offer at Celtic.

“It’s a fantastic club. But I think it’s important for me, at this stage of my career, to be playing,” Rogic told reporters.

“At 21, the thought of possibly being at a World Cup in Brazil is pretty special.

“It’s certainly a big factor. I don’t think there’s any Australian footballer right now that wouldn’t want to be a part of that World Cup,” he said.

For Victory coach Muscat, Rogic’s World Cup prospects come secondary to his potential to consolidate his side’s A-League finals chances.

“Not only for Victorians, Melbourne Victory supporters and fans, I think for Australia it’s exciting that he’ll be gracing the stadiums around the country,” Muscat said.

“The structure and the system we play will suit Tom down to the ground.

“He won’t be in a position that’s foreign to him.”

But Muscat bristled at the suggestion captain Mark Milligan could leave at the business end of the campaign.

UAE club Baniyas has tabled a $1 million-plus offer for the Socceroos midfielder. The same club tried to sign Milligan last May.

“You’ve got to treat every situation in isolation,” Muscat said.

“There was a statement released yesterday and I’ve got nothing further to add on that.”