Rogic: Taking Scottish Premiership Abroad Is 'Postive Idea'

Tom Rogic has backed plans to take Celtic to the United States for a Premiership game as it could give the Scottish game a much-needed boost.

It emerged on Monday that Dundee are investigating plans that would see them give up a home match against the Scottish champions and instead stage it in America.

Reports claim both Dens Park chiefs and their Parkhead counterparts have held early talks on the proposals, with Boston and Philadelphia mentioned as possible Stateside venues.

While the clubs would need the backing of the Scottish Professional Football League before playing a match overseas, Hoops midfielder Rogic believes it would generate fresh interest in the game north of the border.

"It's a good opportunity to expand the game and broadcast Scottish football on a world stage," the Australian international said.

"Celtic obviously has a massive fan base and it would be fantastic to give some fans over there the chance to see us play and hopefully perform.

"There would be a bit of travel involved but we have a few international boys that are used to that.

"You don't think too much about that, though. The first thought is that it would be a positive idea.

"Growing up in Australia I knew about the Old Firm and definitely knew about the size of this club, but I guess you could call these plans an innovative way to promote the game a little bit more on the world stage."

But the 22-year-old is not so certain playing a game in his homeland would be as feasible.

"Travel-wise that would be a little bit harder," he replied when asked if going Down Under should also be considered.

Rogic knows the toll that particular long-haul flight can take on the body from his regular jaunts home to represent the Socceroos.

He was left out of the Aussies' latest 2018 World Cup qualifier - a 4-0 win away to Bangladesh - after suffering tightness in his thigh.

But Celtic boss Ronny Deila will have been pleased to see his playmaker declare himself 100-per-cent ready to face Ajax in Thursday night's crucial Europa League clash at Parkhead.

The Glasgow giants have endured a miserable run in continental competition this season and must beat their Dutch opponents and then Fenerbahce in Turkey if they are to avoid slipping out of the tournament.

Deila's plans have been hit by suspensions to midfield duo Nir Bitton and Stefan Johansen, while he has serious injury concerns for Kris Commons and skipper Scott Brown - not that Rogic thinks Celtic will struggle, "They are important players for us so any team that loses key players could possibly feel it," he said.

"But at the same time we have a good squad and there is competition for places, so I'm sure whoever plays will be ready."

Scott Allan, signed for Championship outfit Hibernian earlier this season, could be one of the men to benefit if Commons and Brown fail to recover in time, while Rogic may be forced to drop into a deeper role to cover for Bitton.

"Whoever plays, they'll make sure they are ready," he added.

"Every player in this squad is working hard, contributing and creating that competition for places.

"We have to have the belief that we can win and still go through in the group.

"It's a big opportunity. Obviously we're disappointed about the last couple of results but we've been working hard to make sure we are best prepared as we can be to get the result we need.

"We go into every game thinking we are going to get a positive result, especially at home.

"We know the importance of the match. We're all in this together and are a united squad.

"We work closely and extremely hard with the coaches and the manager, so we're working together to get the result we need."