Raskopoulos: Rogic can emulate Viduka and Kewell

Former Socceroo Peter Raskopoulos says Tom Rogic can make a similar contribution as national team legends Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka, and he hopes Celtic’s Aussie signs with Arsenal.

Raskopoulos, a former Young Socceroos star from the famous 1981 side who made 35 appearances for the national team in the 1980s, is a huge fan of Rogic’s potential.

And on the back of two eye-catching displays for the national team against England and Greece, Raskopoulos believes it’s time for the 23-year-old Celtic player to further his career just as Kewell and Viduka did in the EPL over a decade ago. 

“I adore watching Tommy Rogic,” Raskopoulos told www.socceroos.com.au

“He’s something special and I hope he’s overcome his injuries and I hope that he does move to Arsenal as the rumours suggest.

“I think the more European league in the EPL will suit him better than the bustle and roughness of the Scottish league.

Tom Rogic starred in Celtic's 7-0 win over Motherwell.

“The Scottish league is a hard league and Tommy will be suited to Arsenal much better. It’s a club where we’ll see Tommy making a huge name for himself.

“He just looks a different class right now. He looks like when Viduka and Kewell were in their prime. He’s a half a pass above anyone on the park right now.

“You don’t know how far he can go but I just hope he’s injury free for a year or two because I think he can really be in that top echelon of world-class players.”

Rogic was a late substitute last Saturday night for the Socceroos against Greece, energising the front third with his surging runs as the hosts claimed a last-gasp 1-0 win.

The two nations face each other on Tuesday night in the second and final game of the friendly Dodoni Series at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium with Rogic a potential starter. 

“No doubt that Greece will be stronger tomorrow night,” added Raskopoulos.

“Leading up to Saturday’s game and speaking to some of the people involved with the Greek team they said the team was really suffering from jet lag.

“So you’ll probably see a much stronger Greece in Melbourne and no doubt the fan support will also help in Melbourne.

“The atmosphere at ANZ is not really there but at Etihad it’ll be a fantastic atmosphere.”

The Caltex Socceroos celebrate Mat Leckie's late winner against Greece at ANZ Stadium.

Raskokopoulos enjoyed a long, colourful career with Sydney Olympic, where he won an NSL championship with the club as CEO.

He added: “Since Ange took over the team’s improved out of sight. The reason being is we’re a realistic chance in any game we go into. We have a confident mindset which is getting us the results too.

“But above all Ange has given debuts to 17 players which is a credit. But it’s also the style we play. 

“I’d be disappointed if we couldn’t get out of the group stage at the next World Cup should we qualify.

"Football has evolved into being part of the entertainment industry and the way we play is fantastic.”

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