Scots link powers Aussies at Asian Cup

IF AUSTRALIA are to go deep at the Asian Cup they will owe much to the Scotland-based players who have been among their top performers so far in the UAE.

Captain Mark Milligan and striker Jamie Maclaren both play for Hibernian in Edinburgh, while forward Tom Rogic is a fan favourite at Celtic.

All three shone as the Socceroos turned on the style in a 3-0 win over Palestine that reignited their title defence with one group game to play against Syria.

Coach Graham “Ar ni e ” Arnold (pictured, AFP) would have had more Scottish firepower if not for an untimely knee injury to Martin Boyle, also o at Hibs, after his callup into the squad.

Scotland-born cotland-born Boyle, the son of an Aussie truck ck driver, had scored red two goals in three hree friendly appearances ppearances after er receiving his Australian passport ssport in November. vember.

Even ven witho u t B o y l e , Arnold nold has as many ny Scotlandbased sed players in his squad as those se living in England, gland, or even en Australia. ia. Macl Mac l a r e n pr o v e d h i s wort h as he shr shrugged ugged of f nine barren appearanc appearances to sco score his f i irst i nter n nat i o n a l g o a l against Palestine wit h a glancing header from a cross by Rogic.

Arnold praised both bo players and especially t the “outstanding” Rogic, who w was playing with a broken brok hand and also sprained his h ankle in Australia’s openi opening defeat to Jordan.

“Not only did he have a brobr ken hand but he also had a sprained ankle from the gam game against Jordan,” said Arnol Arnold. “But Tommy, that’s ho how much pride he has in playing for the country. He loves playing for Australia, he’s very proud to play for Australia.”

Rogic raised hackles at Celtic when Australia’s training camp forced him to miss last month’s Old Firm derby with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers – which Rangers won 1-0.

Maclaren will probably yield his starting place when Japanb a s e d A n d r e w Nab b o u t returns from injury, but his performance against Palestine at least gives Arnold options.

“It’s great to have competit ion for places. It creates a ver y c ompet it ive env i ronment a nd one t hat pushes players to another level,” said the coach.

Maclaren, consistently prolif ic at club level, said he never lost fa it h i n his abi l it y to s c ore despite h i s goa l le s s st retch for Austra lia.

“I’ve never really gone off track. I’m a goalscorer, I know chances will always come my way, and when that chance does come I was there to take i t , ” the 25-year-old s ai d, according to the Asian Football Confederation website.

“Now it’s time for me to step up and really kick on.”

Aust ra l ia were st i f led 1-0 against Jordan but they have renewed confidence for Tuesday ’s f i na l Group C ga me aga i nst Sy r ia, where t hey need only a draw to reach the last 16.