Edwards to roll out the red carpet for Rogic
RYAN EDWARDS has warned his Partick Thistle team-mates that they will have to keep a close eye on friend and compatriot Tom Rogic as they take on Celtic at lunchtime today.
Rogic scored against Thistle at Firhill in a 2-0 win for Ronny Deila’s side at the start of the season. Edwards came through the Australian Institute of Sport with the Celtic midfielder, and says that he could always tell Rogic would go on to play at a top level.
Now that his countryman has shaken off his recent injury problems, Edwards is hoping the Celtic man can get back to his best – after this afternoon’s match, of course.
“I’ve known him since about 2008 or 2009, so a good few years,” Edwards said. “He’s from Canberra and I’m from Perth, so it’s four or five hours away, but I was at the AIS in Canberra and I used to train with him in the same team. I know him personally and it will be good to play against him on Saturday.
“He’s had a really difficult time with injuries, but I think he’s shown his quality since he came back and he’s such a good player for Celtic and especially for our country. He’s had a little setback, but he’s still getting picked for the March qualifiers coming up, so it shows you how important he is for Australia.
“You could tell when he was younger that technically and physically he had the potential to do what he’s shown so far. Canberra is a bit isolated in Australia, so you don’t get many opportunities, so he went out and did the Nike Academy thing and did it all himself, which is great to see. Now we’re both going for the senior national team. He’s a great player.
Edwards is motivated to make an impression of his after flitting in and out of the Thistle side since his return from international duty in January.
“Coming back it’s been good for me to have the games so close together because there had to be a few rotations,” he said. “I’ve managed to get some game time and I hope I’ve impressed the manager and a few of the fans.
“We’ve said that every player will be used through this run of games, and you have to be ready when your chance comes.”