Aaron Mooy talked up as Socceroo tells of admiration for the former Celtic midfielder

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Aaron Mooy came to Celtic in the latter stages of his career and it is fair to say his arrival wasn’t met with much enthusiasm by the Hoops support.

In a career spanning 15 years, the Australian enjoyed spells at St Mirren, Huddersfield, Melbourne City and Huddersfield before he found himself at Paradise.

He helped the club win their historic eighth domestic treble before calling it a day at the end of last season and Australian international midfielder, Aiden O’Neill, has been speaking about Mooy and revealed his admiration for the former Hoops midfielder.

O’Neill said [Socceroos.com], “There are similarities to our games in some respects but I have big shoes to fill there (in potentially replacing Mooy), and lots to improve on.

“But I do feel I can be that person in the Socceroos team, and I aspire to be as good as he’s been in his football career.

“He was a unique player for Australia, so calm in those big moments and yet he also had that killer instinct to provide a decisive pass to really hurt the opposition.

“He also scored important goals and was a massive leader, maybe not vocally but by the way he went about his football.

“I was a little surprised when he announced his retirement (from club and international football) because he was coming off a great season at Celtic and at 32 you’d think he had a lot of football to play.

“But I’m sure he had his reasons why he called it a day. But what a fabulous career he had. I never actually got to meet him but I’m sure one day that will happen.”

O’Neill is being touted as the man to replace Mooy in the heart of the Aussie midfield and it is fair to say he has a huge task ahead of him.

Mooy, after a relatively slow start at Celtic, became a huge player for us. His ability to control and even turn a game was evident when he came on as a substitute in the 2-2 draw with Rangers at Ibrox in January.

He also scored important goals for Celtic. A double against Hibs in the 4-0 away win was followed up by another important away goal and assist against Dundee United in the 2-0 win at Tannadice. And who can forget his goal in the first two minutes against Hearts in the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Tynecastle?

Mooy is not only a huge miss for Australia but also for Celtic. And after the news that Reo Hatate has rejected as new contract at the Hoops, how we could be doing with him in the squad right now.

In other news, Charlie Mulgrew backs Celtic star Joe Hart to deliver for Brendan Rodgers; but with a caveat