The amazing life of Tom Rogic

He was in Glasgow on Saturday, smashing home a fabulous free kick for Celtic to cap a man of the match performance. Now he's in Australia. And soon he'll be in Barcelona.

In short, it's a wonderful time to be footballer - and international traveller - Tom Rogic.  

The Caltex Socceroo and Celtic star has flown in to Perth direct from Glasgow ahead of some huge games that will test the playmaker at club and international level.

Caltex Socceroos train in Perth: report

First, there are two key World Cup qualifiers with Australia, starting on Thursday night in Perth against Iraq.

Then, the following Tuesday night in Abu Dhabi, the Socceroos meet UAE in the second group match of the final phase of qualification for Russia 2018.

These are two key clashes with Rogic expected to be influential in both.

But that’s just the start, as the 23-year-old Canberra talent, who's had to fight back from his fair share of injuries, explained.

“We've got an Old Firm match when we get back on Saturday and then Barcelona away on the Tuesday [in the UEFA Champions League].

“It's all a bit crazy at the moment but I'm certainly loving it and long may it continue.”

Long may it continue, indeed.

Rogic is in stunning form for club and country. Along with Huddersfield’s Manchester City loanee, attacking midfielder Aaron Mooy, Australia have two fabulous creative midfielders who are destined for bigger things at club level.

Tom Rogic scored one and set up another in Celtic's big win in the Scottish Premier League.

And now, after scraping through UCL qualification, he has a chance to test himself against Messi, Neymar, Suarez and others at Barcelona - not to mention Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City – in the group stage.

Though Rogic, typically, isn’t getting carried away. Not on the outside anyway.

“It’s a tough draw. Any team in the Champions League is going to be tough.

“It’s about making sure we're ready for those matches and enjoying it because we're not there to take part and make up the numbers in the competition.

“I got a taste of it a few years ago when I first came to the club. I obviously didn’t feature as much and was relatively new and didn't have as much of an influence in games.

Tom Rogic in action for Celtic in last season's Europa League.

“I've been around long enough to know how important it is to be in this competition and it's exciting. We have a lot of games." 

And after signing with the Bhoys in 2013 is it really hitting home what a storied club Celtic is and what an honour wearing the green and white jersey is for him. 

"I didn't realise how big it [Celtic] is until I was there," he revealed. 

"When you're playing your home matches in front of 60,000 fans and the atmosphere that comes with it, it's not something I take for granted or take lightly

"That's why I said when I re-signed [till 2019], I didn't want to leave."

And travelling the world as an international at such a club is all part of being being a rising star of the Socceroos and Celtic. 

Socceroos playmaker Tom Rogic fights for the ball with England captain Chris Smalling.

“We've had some unique games at our club. We've gone to Kazakhstan, we've gone to Israel, we've travelled here, play a game, then off to UAE. It doesn't really stop

"The next international, there is a lot of travel as well. That’s just part of it.”

Little wonder Rogic says he’s in need of a new passport.