With Tim Cahill coming into the twilight of his career, the search is on for the next Socceroo superstar – someone to be the figurehead of the game in Australia.
There was a time when the Socceroos had so many stars in the team. Of course the golden generation of the 2006 World Cup squad with stars such as Kewell, Viduka, Bresciano, Neill and Schwarzer who were playing in the big leagues of Europe and were well known faces in the Australian sporting landscape. While the Socceroos of today are well known as a national team, not many names pop out (such as Cahill) in the squad. Yes the soccer fans would know Matt Ryan, Matthew Leckie and the captain Mile Jidinak, but when the Prime Minister at the time Tony Abbott mispronounces Jidinak’s name you know there is a lack of awareness regarding the individuals in the Australian national team.
Of course having a player in the EPL would help resolve this issue. The EPL may not be the most skilled league in the world, but we all know it is the most watched league in the world. Playing well in this league gives you a platform for recognition and this is where Tom Rogic might be the next big superstar in the Socceroos. Currently with Celtic in the Scottish Premier League, Rogic is in a rich vein of form. Scoring and setting up goals at will Rogic has been the dominant player in the Scottish League. There were rumours in the off season that Arsenal were making enquiries about Rogic; while it came to nothing, this attention – plus the good form Rogic has shown – means that when the transfer window next opens in January 2017 it seems likely Rogic will be plying his trade in the EPL. Rogic is the first true no. 10 player Australia has had since Harry Kewell in his prime. With deft ball control, keen goal sense and able to cover the ground well. Tom Rogic looks well on the way to be the next big sporting superstar Australia has produced and with the sporting landscape becoming more competitive where our eyes go to watch. Tom Rogic could be a nice fill up for soccer in Australia.
About Vaughan Menlove
Obsessed with Richmond, Luton Town, Melbourne Victory and Arsenal. The Dr had a soccer career hampered by the realisation he was crap, but could talk his way around the game. Co host of It's Not Called Soccer podcast
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Rogic is very good.
Aren’t we are blessed with some real quality emerging? Aaron Mooy currently starring in the Championship – only a matter of time before he makes it at seniir level in Europe.
He’s such a clever footballer, wonderful to watch him setting up play, finding space. Has Dutch heritage – name means ‘beautiful’ in Dutch. Appropriate!
It feels like the dawn of another ‘Golden Generation’ for our national team.
Remember that the squad which last year won our first Asian Cup didn’t contain Rogic and Mooy, and now they’re both integral to our 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.
I agree that it would be great to see another Aussie in the EPL; I’m sure those two guys will get their chance.
The next Harry Kewell? I can’t wait to see him combining with Aaron Mooy for years to come.