Out of favour Tom Rogic has been hailed for his reaction to being left out of the Australia squad for Qatar - with manager Carlos Corberan applauding his "very good attitude."
West Brom boss Corberan has used Rogic sparingly since his arrival in October with just two substitute appearances in his four games in charge. Explaining his absence previously, he admitted Rogic "needed time to adapt," and told him his previous accomplishments with Celtic didn't matter and that he had to earn his place on merit.
Rogic's lack of involvement saw him snubbed for the Socceroos squad, just months after landing the PFA Scotland Player of the Year Award for his heroics with Ange Postecoglou's team last season. With striker Daryl Dike also overlooked for the USA squad, it means the Baggies will have no players going to the World Cup for the first time since 2002 in Korea and Japan.
But Corberan reckons both of them have stood up and responded to being left out - applauding Rogic and Dike for their attitudes since. And the duo, who have just a single start between them this season, will get the chance to earn starting spots over the international break. Corberan said:“The only thing I can tell you is I am watching a very good attitude in both players.
"I knew both players had the possibilities to go to the World Cup and maybe for the reason you say (not enough minutes) the national team didn’t decide to select them. I am watching players really, really focused in the situation we are having right now.”
On Rogic, Corberan previously said: “Rogic is one player who maybe needs a little bit of time to adapt, but I am watching and he is making the right steps in the right direction. That’s the challenge he has, and it’s the challenge we have with every single player – to get to the best level that they can have.
"For me in football the past doesn’t exist. The only thing that exists is the present and we need to be focused, ready and determined to win this moment right now and to give our best.”
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