Celtic midfielder Aaron Mooy has vowed to keep up his effort and intensity levels in the two remaining games prior to the World Cup, despite the honour of representing Australia in Qatar.
Mooy is one of seven Scottish Premiership talents to be heading off with the Socceroos after a squad announcement today.
A prominent theory in football right now, not just at Celtic or in Scotland, is that some players may hold something back so close to the tournament, with a late injury potential ruining hope of featuring.
The Aussie isn’t having that though and has pledged to keep working for the support heading to matches against Motherwell and Ross County.
As quoted by The Scotsman, Mooy said: “The World Cup is obviously always in the back of your mind, but I don’t think about it too much. I have a job to do every three days with Celtic. So I try to think about every game and doing my best for the support.
“The supporters expect good play and wins in every game. It is a good place to be to improve and to be ready. I am just enjoying the experience, just soaking it all in, trying to play as much as I can.”
We’d expect nothing less from any Celtic player at the moment, regardless of their World Cup exertions, but it’s nice to hear the midfielder sound so motivated to compete under Postecoglou.
Mooy is a solid candidate to start the match in Motherwell tomorrow having played well there in the Scottish League Cup clash at the same venue last month.
He’s done well generally in domestic action recently, though David Turnbull was given starting duties in the weekend win over Dundee United.
A midfield three of Mooy, Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate may well be our most effective right now in the absence of Callum McGregor, so I’m personally hoping to see the Aussie get at least one more opportunity before he heads off to Qatar.
In other news, Ange Postecoglou and Mark Lawwell have it all mapped out at Celtic; ominous for rivals.
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