Scottish-based players in Australia World Cup squad

CELTIC midfielder Tom Rogic and Dundee United defender Curtis Good have both been named in Australia’s squad for the World Cup.
Curtis Good, right, battles for the ball with Partick Thistle's Lyle Taylor. Picture: SNSCurtis Good, right, battles for the ball with Partick Thistle's Lyle Taylor. Picture: SNS
Curtis Good, right, battles for the ball with Partick Thistle's Lyle Taylor. Picture: SNS

Rogic, who has been playing with Melbourne Victory on loan from the Scottish champions and Good, who joined United on loan from Newcastle United in January are among a youthful 30-strong squad for the tournament in Brazil.

But with United facing St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup 24 hours after the Socceroos meet up at a training camp on 16 May, the Tannadice club may have to plead with manager Ange Postecoglou to allow Good to remain in Scotland until after the final.

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Assistant manager Simon Donnelly said in April: “We’ll have to speak to the Australians about Curtis. The Scottish Cup Final is a massive game so we’d maybe have to ask them a favour if it comes to that.”

Former Hearts defender and fans’ favourite Ryan McGowan, currently with Shandong Luneng Taishan, is also included in the squad, as is ex-Rangers midfielder Matt McKay.

Five players survive from the 2006 party which excelled in Germany, with the rest made up of emerging prospects.

Mark Bresciano, Tim Cahill, Josh Kennedy, Mark Milligan and Luke Wilshere all went eight years ago and all have a strong chance of doing so again.

Rising Fortuna Dussledorf striker Ben Halloran is one of two uncapped players in the group, alongside Bailey Wright of Preston.

“We’re excited to announce the preliminary 30-man Socceroos squad for the World Cup,” Postecoglou said. “We’ve selected a squad we believe will represent the people of Australia with pride on the biggest stage in world sport.

“The squad has been selected with form and fitness as key indicators as well as having one eye on the future.

“We face a formidable challenge in Brazil but it is also a big opportunity and we head to the World Cup with no barriers as we look to write a new chapter in our rich football history.”

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The squad will be trimmed to 27 after a friendly with South Africa on May 26, with the final 23-man party submitted on June 2.

Australia squad: Mark Birighitti (Newcastle Jets), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United), Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund), Mat Ryan (Club Brugge), Jason Davidson (Heracles), Ivan Franjic (Brisbane), Curtis Good (Dundee United), Ryan McGowan (Shandong Luneng Taishan), Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Luke Wilkshire (Dynamo Moscow), Bailey Wright (Preston), Oliver Bozanic (FC Luzern), Mark Bresciano (Al Gharafa), Joshua Brillante (Newcastle Jets), James Holland (Austria Vienna), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), Massimo Luongo (Swindon), Matthew McKay (Brisbane Roar), Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht), Tommy Rogic (Melbourne Victory), Adam Sarota (FC Utrecht), James Troisi (Melbourne Victory), Dario Vidosic (FC Sion), Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls), Ben Halloran (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Josh Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus 8), Matthew Leckie (Frankfurt), Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets).