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Celtic’s Tom Rogic backs plans for club to play Premiership game in US Celtic’s Tom Rogic backs plans for club to play Premiership game in US
(35 minutes later)
The Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic has backed plans to take the club to the United States for a Premiership game as it could give Scotland a much-needed boost.The Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic has backed plans to take the club to the United States for a Premiership game as it could give Scotland a much-needed boost.
It emerged on Monday that Dundee are investigating plans that would see them give up a home match against the Scottish champions and instead stage it in America.It emerged on Monday that Dundee are investigating plans that would see them give up a home match against the Scottish champions and instead stage it in America.
Reports claim both clubs have held early talks on the proposals, with Boston and Philadelphia mentioned as possible Stateside venues.Reports claim both clubs have held early talks on the proposals, with Boston and Philadelphia mentioned as possible Stateside venues.
While they would need the backing of the Scottish Professional Football League before playing a match overseas, Rogic believes it would generate fresh interest in the game north of the border.While they would need the backing of the Scottish Professional Football League before playing a match overseas, Rogic believes it would generate fresh interest in the game north of the border.
“It’s a good opportunity to expand the game and broadcast Scottish football on a world stage,” the Australian international said. “Celtic obviously has a massive fan base and it would be fantastic to give some fans over there the chance to see us play and hopefully perform. “It’s a good opportunity to expand the game and broadcast Scottish football on a world stage,” the Australia international said. “Celtic obviously has a massive fan base and it would be fantastic to give some fans over there the chance to see us play and hopefully perform.
“There would be a bit of travel involved but we have a few international boys that are used to that. You don’t think too much about that, though. The first thought is that it would be a positive idea.“There would be a bit of travel involved but we have a few international boys that are used to that. You don’t think too much about that, though. The first thought is that it would be a positive idea.
“Growing up in Australia I knew about the Old Firm and definitely knew about the size of this club, but I guess you could call these plans an innovative way to promote the game a little bit more on the world stage.”“Growing up in Australia I knew about the Old Firm and definitely knew about the size of this club, but I guess you could call these plans an innovative way to promote the game a little bit more on the world stage.”
Rogic was left out of Australia’s 2018 World Cup qualifier - a 4-0 win away to Bangladesh - after suffering tightness in his thigh. But the Celtic manager Ronny Deila will have been pleased to see his playmaker declare himself fit to face Ajax in Thursday night’s crucial Europa League match at Parkhead. Rogic was left out of Australia’s 2018 World Cup qualifier – a 4-0 win away to Bangladesh – after suffering tightness in his thigh but Ronny Deila will have been pleased to see his playmaker declare himself fit to face Ajax in Thursday’s Europa League match at Parkhead.
Celtic must beat their Dutch opponents and then Fenerbahce in Turkey if they are to avoid slipping out of the tournament.Celtic must beat their Dutch opponents and then Fenerbahce in Turkey if they are to avoid slipping out of the tournament.
Deila’s plans have been hit by suspensions to midfield duo Nir Bitton and Stefan Johansen, while he has serious injury concerns for Kris Commons and the captain Scott Brown. Deila’s plans have been hit by suspensions to the midfield duo Nir Bitton and Stefan Johansen, while he has serious injury concerns for Kris Commons and the captain Scott Brown.
“They are important players for us so any team that loses key players could possibly feel it,” he said. “But at the same time we have a good squad and there is competition for places, so I’m sure whoever plays will be ready.”“They are important players for us so any team that loses key players could possibly feel it,” he said. “But at the same time we have a good squad and there is competition for places, so I’m sure whoever plays will be ready.”
Scott Allan, signed from Hibernian earlier this season, could be one of the men to benefit if Commons and Brown fail to recover in time, while Rogic may be forced to drop into a deeper role to cover for Bitton. Scott Allan, signed from Hibernian earlier this season, could be one of the players to benefit if Commons and Brown fail to recover in time, while Rogic may be forced to drop into a deeper role to cover for Bitton.