George Overhill

Tue 22 November 2022 19:45, UK

Tom Rogic was “strangely” snubbed by Australia for the World Cup according to Jonathan Pearce, who is confused by the West Brom man’s absence.

The former Celtic attacking midfielder arrived at the Hawthorns earlier in the season after a stand-out career in the SPFL, with his free transfer seen as an impressive acquisition for the then-Steve Bruce regime.

But things have not so far gone to plan for the Baggies man, as he has made just six Championship appearances largely off the bench and registered a single assist, before his unexpected exclusion from the Socceroos for the Qatar tournament, which Pearce clearly didn’t see coming.

Speaking live on the BBC Sport coverage of the game against France on Tuesday night (22 November, 7.06pm) Pearce said of the Australians: “Strangely left Tom Rogic out of the squad, very talented playmaker, but not here due to one or two problems.

“They’ve missed one or two injured as well so they will lack creativity in that department.”

In true commentator’s curse style the Aussies went ahead just two minutes later through Craig Goodwin, although they were soon behind thanks to Adrien Rabiot and Olivier Giroud goals.

Problems

Rogic’s international situation continues to confuse people, after he cited personal reasons when missing qualifying games in the summer.

According to the Daily Mail he then ignored text messages from coach Graham Arnold, perhaps explaining why he wasn’t seen as an option for World Cup despite injuries in the original squad.

Whether he would have been selected if his contact with the international set up was uninterrupted is open to question, based on his start to life at West Brom, but his record in Scotland where he scored 46 goals and assisted 49 more in 272 Hoops appearances stands up to most scrutiny.

Having scored 10 times in 53 international caps he would have certainly been considered, but while Bruce clearly had no issues about snapping him up earlier this season there remains wider confusion in his home country over his status.

Ex-Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke defended Rogic against criticism from rugby league great Laurie Daley on 15 November [Fox Sports], in a heated exchange which saw the latter say the Albion player could “get stuffed”.

While Australia may be missing him the Baggies will presumably benefit, because new manager Carlos Corberan gets to work with the 29-year-old as he looks to get him into form for the second half of the season.

In other West Brom news, an ex-Hawthorns player was absolutely delighted by contract news at the club.