Australia national team boss Holger Osieck will not bow to pressure regarding the international status of Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic.
Socceroos fans and people in the media want the 20-year old to be given more opportunities in the national team but Osieck insists he will only start the former Central Coast Mariners young gun when he proves he is ready.
"Tom Rogic is almost an eternal topic," Osieck said after releasing his 24-man squad for upcoming friendlies with France and Canada.
"I know how good he is but he is not playing.
"He is not in Celtic's first team and he occasionally gets on.
"I had him in Brazil (for the friendly earlier this month) and he came with a groin injury so he was not fit.
"He spent more time on the medical bench than on the training pitch.
"In order to give him some psychological boost I gave him a few minutes to make him feel that he is part of the group.
"But right now he is not fully fit so I don't think he will start in Paris.
"We have to acknowledge that and it is a matter of making some diligent research and look into the position of a player.
"I mean, what is he doing in his home environment? Why is he not playing? Is he not as good as we expect him to be?
"That is the problem but I can assure you that I am on top of it because I have all the necessary information.
"I wish he was fit and he could play as a starter but at the moment circumstances do not permit this."
