Bren wants Aussie Rogic for Ibrox clash

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers

Ronnie Esplin Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has appealed to Football Federation Australia for a “sensible solution” as Tom Rogic looks set to miss next week’s Ibrox Old Firm derby.

The Hoops midfielder has been selected for the Asia finals, along with Hibernian's Martin Boyle, Mark  Milligan and Jamie Maclaren, and is expected to meet up with the  Socceroos squad before Celtic travel to Rangers on December 29.

Rodgers, who revealed Ryan Christie is back in the squad for today's visit of Dundee after missing two matches with an ankle injury, is not "overly happy" with that arrangement and has not yet given up on having Rogic available.

He said: "At this moment he's due to play his last game for us at Aberdeen and then fly out to the Australian squad on the 27th, so that would mean him missing the last game.

"That's not something we're overly happy about. I spoke with Graham Arnold, the manager, and I had two good days of trying to ensure relations are good between international teams and club teams.

"We feel Tom can play and be available for the 29th and fly out after the game and meet up in Dubai on the 30th and still be there virtually a week before he's due to play his first game.

"Tom wants to play in the game but he also wants to play for Australia. It's a position the player doesn't need to be in.

"It's a showcase game, the Celtic-Rangers game. They're great games and he's been great in them for us.''

Rodgers, meanwhile, is hopeful Odsonne Edouard will be back for next week's crunch games against Aberdeen and Rangers.

The French forward came off with an abductor problem in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Motherwell, leaving the Hoops with no recognised striker.

Rodgers added: "Edouard won't be available for tomorrow but we are very hopeful that next week he will be ready."