TOM NO-SHOW CELTS’ CALL

AUSSIE gaffer Graham Arnold has told fuming Celtic fans to pipe down in the row over Tom Rogic – and insisted Brendan Rodgers requested the playmaker sit out the Oman bounce game. Hoops punters were furious the Wizard of Oz, left, was pulled out of Saturday’s Old Firm showdown to head to Dubai ahead of Australia’s Asian Cup bid and then didn’t feature in the final warm-up game at the weekend. Arnold copped flak from all angles – with ex-international Mark Bosnich among the voices slaughtering the gaffer for the decision.

But the boss hit back and said: “We received an email from Celtic asking us not to play him because he had a knee issue so we didn’t play him.

“Bosnich has said I’ve left him out on purpose and that I’m a poor man. I didn’t do it.

“He’s got a small knee issue and it blew up on the plane. The most important thing is the fitness and health of the kid.

“Celtic asked us not to play him. We have emails to prove it.”

Arnold confirmed Rogic will be fit for Sunday’s opener against Jordan and looked to draw a line under the row after taking fire from Celtic and Hibs.

Easter Road trio Martin Boyle, Jamie Maclaren and Mark Milligan missed the loss to Hearts after jetting out. But Arnold insisted he had FIFA rules on his side and couldn’t give certain players leeway.

He said: “When you receive nice texts from coaches thanking me for letting their players stay Boxing Day and performing well. Matty Ryan at Brighton, Jackson Irvine scoring two for Hull. It was always clear.”