Celtic midfielder Aaron Mooy has been tipped to be one of Australia's main stars when the World Cup kicks off later this month.
The Hoops star has started to play more regularly under former Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou and current national team leader is set to unveil his squad shortly. A host of SPFL faces and four past in Celtic hero Tom Rogic, maverick Hibs favourite Jason Cummings, another former Hibee Jamie MacLaren and Ross County League Cup winner Jackson Irvine are being tipped to head to Qatar by former international Robbie Slater.
Alongside Dundee United's Aziz Behich, Hearts duo Nathaniel Atkinson and Cammy Devlin plus Hibs' Martin Boyle, Mooy will deliver steel to their engine. Slater told Fox Sports : "Regular football at Celtic under Ange Postecoglou, albeit not always as a starter, has Mooy hopefully ready to weave some magic in Qatar. Showed his class and grit during the World Cup playoffs in June on the back of very little football.
"He has barely played enough football in the past six months, but Rogic should go to the World Cup, if at the very least as insurance for the currently injured Hrustic. With World Cup squads being increased to 26, it allows room for the former Celtic star.
"Former Wellington Phoenix midfielder Devlin's move to Scottish club Hearts has proven to be a huge success, and should get him a spot in the squad ahead of Denis Genreau and Connor Metcalfe, who both aren’t playing enough first-team football.
"An underrated hero of the Socceroos’ World Cup playoffs campaign, Behich is clearly Australia’s first-choice left-back. He has also been in solid form for his Scottish club Dundee United.
"The former Melbourne City defender is Karacic’s rival for the right-back spot. If Graham Arnold opts for a more attacking option, Atkinson – whose move to Scottish club Hearts has paid dividends – is your man.
Hibs man Boyle is tipped to be the main man in attack and even if he's not fully fit, he has to go: "It would be a huge setback for the Socceroos if Boyle – our best attacking weapon – can’t recover from his knee problem in time for the World Cup.
"Even if he’s not ready for our first game against France, he must be in the squad."
