Australia boss Graham Arnold insists he needs Tom Rogic and Martin Boyle for international duty despite the pair facing huge Scottish Premiership derby matches.
The Socceroos face huge World Cup qualifiers against Vietnam in Melbourne and away to Oman at the end of this month and next month.
Arnold knows it’s tough on European clubs that there is a FIFA window at a time when UEFA nations aren’t in action.
That means a club v country dilemma has emerged with the African Nations Cup currently being played.
But Arnold says he can’t spare Rogic and Boyle which is a blow to both Celtic and Hibs.
The Hoops are due to face Hearts in a tough away trip to Tynecastle next week which Rogic will miss before the massive Old Firm derby at Parkhead.
Shaun Maloney will also be without key man Boyle for a trip to Motherwell before their own derby showdown against Hearts.
Arnold, speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, said: “It’s not easy always for a national team coach, especially through this time where it’s not a FIFA window in Europe.
“It's a FIFA ruling, it’s an emergency window they’ve put in for the Asian Nations, CONMEBOL and the African Nations Cup, to get finished.
“I need my best players and the best players Tommy Rogic is one of them and Martin Boyle is too from Hibs.
“I’ve still got to do the final selection of the squad and that will come on Thursday but these are two World Cup qualifiers, two very important games, and I need my best players.”
