Hallelujah, the European football leagues are back! No more stalling with updates of pre-season friendlies trying to overstate how one player scoring against a third division Romanian side makes him a likely Champions League candidate (well, maybe just one or two more).
Either way, whichever team or league you follow, we can all agree it is nice to see meaningful football once more. Outside90’s James Caughlin returns with a round-up of how our exported Australians are faring for their respective clubs.
Tom Rogic – Celtic FC [GOAL]
It has taken far longer than anybody would have hoped for, but Tom Rogic has finally scored his first goal for Celtic. Sure, it took two-and-a-half years since he moved there, but the feat should be celebrated nonetheless. Some Hoops fans may have forgotten the young Australian was still with the team after his injury enforced absence, but he put his name back in their minds with an impressive finish to score the first of Celtic’s two goals against Partick Thistle. The ball was crossed in to striker Lee Griffiths who touched it just behind Rogic, managing to flick his heel up and somehow strike the ball into the side netting. While he normally features as a midfielder, he has the ability to get forward and score goals which may give him a leg-up in the competition for the Socceroos No.10 spot, especially if the strikers cannot replace the production of Tim Cahill.
Socceroo Tom Rogic just scored this fine goal for #Celtic https://t.co/yS9r9mpiYQ
— Outside90 (@Outside90) August 9, 2015
Scott McDonald – Motherwell and Ryan McGowan – Dundee United [PLAYED EACH OTHER]
More Australian news from Scotland, as current and former Socceroos faced-off against one another. The biggest enigma in Australian football, Scott McDonald, drew a blank playing for Motherwell while trying to get the better of current squad member Ryan McGowan. It was the defender’s day as his Dundee United side won 2-0 and he was able to grab bragging rights. While McDonald’s international career is more likely-than-not finished, it is good to see McGowan playing regular football in the centre of defence and keeping clean sheets.
Mile Jedinak – Crystal Palace [PLAYED 20 MINUTES]
The club captain started the match against Norwich City on the bench, seemingly replaced by new signing Yohann Cabaye. However, with just under 20 minutes remaining and his side in need of some defensive steel having just conceded, Jedinak was sent on in place of Jordan Mutch to help preserve Palace’s then 2-1 lead. His main competition, Cabaye, then sealed the result late in stoppage-time. Jedinak clearly faces a battle for his role in the team and his position will do him no favours, however, next week with Arsenal visiting he could very well be restored to the starting lineup to help solidify the midfield and negate the attacking threat that the Gunners possess. His best opportunities to earn regular playing time may come in games where Palace need a defensive presence, and if he can do well when given the chance then he may remain as one of his club’s best 11 players.
[interaction id=”55c8d159b7e78f9b322b8433″]
Mat Ryan – Valencia [LOSS]
Playing in Valencia’s final preseason hitout before they begin their league and continental campaigns, Ryan had a bad day between the posts as he let in three goals in a Valencia loss. On the first goal Ryan was caught out of place as Gervinho was one-on-one and hit the post before catching the rebound and somehow hitting the post once more before Mohammed Saleh was there to poke home on the line. The second saw Ryan let down by his defenders as Roma had a four on three mismatch with Francesco Totti the open man, while the third and final strike from Gervinho was just perfectly placed at the Australian gloveman’s far post.
Terry Antonis – TBD [TRANSFER]
Tom Smithies reported Monday night that the Sydney FC midfielder had agreed to move to an as yet unnamed European club. More information will come to hand as the week progresses, however, reports say that he is undergoing a medical with his potential suitors and an official deal will hopefully be announced soon.
If there are any Australian players you would like updates on let us know in the comments or get in contact with James through Twitter @jcaughlin12
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
