Central Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold talks up Anthony Caceres as next ... - NEWS.com.au

Tomas Rogic ... Mariners confident of filling the void left by the 20-year-old. Source: AAP

Central Coast Mariners boss Graham Arnold will take his time in choosing how best to replace Tom Rogic in the F3 derby, but in the long run he believes his side has the youthful talent on their books with the skill to emulate the Celtic-bound 20-year-old.

Rogic signed for the Glasgow giants on Thursday night (EDT) after the clubs agreed to a fee of close to $750,000 plus a sell-on clause, and Arnold has been planning for life without the exciting playmaker.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	16	10	4	2	15	34
2	Adelaide	16	10	2	4	8	32
3	Victory	16	8	3	5	0	27
4	Western Sydney	16	8	2	6	6	26
5	Newcastle	16	6	2	8	-8	20
6	Perth	16	5	4	7	1	19
7	Heart	16	5	3	8	-3	18
8	Brisbane	16	5	2	9	-1	17
9	Sydney	16	5	2	9	-13	17
10	Wellington	16	4	4	8	-5	16

The 20-year-old will officially become a Bhoys player if he is granted a work permit.

"The club can confirm an application will be made to the appropriate authorities in the next couple of days," a Celtic statement read.

Rogic had been due to return from suspension in Saturday's F3 derby but in his place vie four players.

"I've got plenty of choices to fill Tommy's spot," Arnold said.

"He's already missed five games this season through national team duties and suspension. We won four and drew one of them.

"There is Michael McGlinchey, Daniel McBreen, Adriano Pellegrino and young Anthony Caceres, and I'll spend the next 24 hours thinking over the best way to put the team together.

"But Anthony is definitely an exciting prospect. I'd say he has as much technical ability as Tom. He's young but I think I've shown by now that I've got no qualms about throwing kids in if I think they're up to it."

Arnold admits that drawing a comparison with Rogic is to heap pressure on Caceres, but insists he has another jewel ready for the final polish.

"Caceres can play as a No.10 (like Rogic) or a holding midfielder, but as a holding player he's about building play and setting things up. He's that type of player," said Arnold.

"He has fantastic feet and great awareness. He knows where the goal is if he has to. He never loses the ball, goes past players comfortably. He's a different kind of player to Tommy, who's a bit more explosive. But honestly, sit back and watch this kid.

"I know three or four clubs were chasing him before we re-signed him in December."