Mariners goalkeeper Mat Ryan could be a transfer target but Central Coast insist they won't let him go on the cheap. Picture: Robert Mckell Source: Herald Sun
THE Mariners' in-demand playmaker Tom Rogic will fly to Spain tomorrow for a training camp with Scottish giants Celtic with a view to a possible long term transfer.
Though Celtic had a bid for Rogic rejected last week the 20-year-old Socceroo will train with the club this week missing only the Mariners' game with Melbourne Victory at the weekend in Tasmania for which he is already suspended.
It is unclear at this stage whether Celtic would aim to sign Rogic immediately or at the end of the season with Mariners coach Graham Arnold desperate to keep his table-topping side together.
If the move was to go ahead it would open the prospect to Champions League football immediately for Rogic.
Though the training camp is a step closer to a deal, the Mariners say they will not let players go on the cheap.
Goalkeeper Mat Ryan is also being chased by overseas clubs with Danish club Randers the latest to make a move.
Moves of Rogic to Reading and Ryan to Derby have collapsed while Randers have made an offer of around $100,000 for Ryan.
But under FIFA rules, the Mariners will be due nearly twice that even if Ryan leaves when his contract expires at the end of the season. Clubs who sign players under 23 from another country must pay set compensation to the club that developed them.
The exact amount depends on the status of the club that signs a player, but after four years of developing Ryan the Mariners will be due a significant six-figure sum.
The Mariners were last night waiting to see whether Randers would lift their offer substantially enough, but general manager of football Lawrie McKinna said the club felt no obligation to sell any of their players.
"It's pretty simple, if any proposed deal isn't good enough then we won't sell," he said. "We want to win the league, and to do that we need to keep together the strongest possible squad. Of course if a serious offer comes in, then we would have to look at it, as just about any club would.
"But if something put forward isn't realistic then we don't have to entertain it as we'll get some level of training compensation anyway in Matty's case."
Rogic still has a third match to sit out through suspension, the young playmaker scheduled to return against Newcastle the weekend after next.
His agent, Andy Bernal, contacted The Daily Telegraph yesterday to clarify that former Socceroo Craig Moore had not advised Rogic about the move to Reading, although he confirmed other figures from Football Federation Australia had done so.
"They gave positives and negatives associated with the move, but it fizzled out before Craig in his role as FFA player mentor had a chance to speak to Tom," he added.
Though coach Graham Arnold admitted to continued nerves over the transfer window, aware of "interest for Tom, Matty and other players," he did have some good news with defender Patrick Zwaanswijk confirmed as fit to face Melbourne Victory on Saturday.
The return of the Dutch veteran after a groin injury is significantly well-timed as young centre back Trent Sainsbury will sit out a suspension against Victory after accruing five yellow cards.
"Patrick is ready and he will come into the side alongside Zac Anderson," Arnold said. "He possibly could have played last weekend against the Wanderers but I held him back another week, especially knowing Trent was one booking away from suspension.
"I was conscious of not breaking Patrick, and he's better for the extra week. It also shows the competition we have in the squad now.
"You look at the way John Hutchinson was sent off against Sydney and got a ban, and Oliver Bozanic has been outstanding in his place.
"Hutch has taken it like the professional he is, he apologised to the playing group for stuffing up and has to earn his place back."
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