Meulensteen surprised by Qatar links for Rogic
AN English Premier League club should come in for Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic, according to Australia assistant manager Rene Meulensteen.
The Socceroos internationalist is attracting interest from Qatar with Celtic manager Neil Lennon last week stating he would see how the situation panned out but stressing the 27-year-old was a “fantastic player”.
Speaking to Australian media outlet The World Game about Rogic, former Manchester United coach Meulensteen said: “I’m really quite surprised a Premier League club, or a top Championship team, or even a team elsewhere in Europe that’s pushing for Champions League or Europe League hasn’t come for him.
“He’s at a great age and has fantastic qualities and is tactically also very intelligent.
“Used well, in the right system, he can be a big asset for a lot of teams.”
Meulensteen has previously worked in Qatar and feels Rogic would do well in the Gulf state.
“He’s been there a long time,” Meulensteen added. “He loves the club and has won a lot of trophies there.
“I’ve asked him previously whether he’d like to move to the Premier League but I think he’s always been content at Celtic.
“But now, where he’s limited with his game time, he might see this as an opportunity to try something different.
“The standard of the league in Qatar has jumped in recent years, and they’ve invested heavily in local talent.
“In terms of resources and environment it’s excellent, and I don’t think Tom’s game would suffer by going there.”