Young Socceroos star Daniel Arzani looks certain to miss the Asian Cup and probably the rest of the Scottish Premiership season, after his club Celtic confirmed likely damage to his anterior cruciate ligament.
Arzani came on as a substitute for Tom Rogic to make his debut in Celtic’s 5-0 win over Dundee on Wednesday, but was taken off on a stretcher after barely 20 minutes when he badly twisted his knee.
On Friday Celtic’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, said scans indicated the news was likely to be devastating for the hugely promising 19-year-old.
“We are waiting on the final analysis of the scans but it is unfortunate, it looks like this week we will have two cruciate injuries in terms of young Daniel and Eboue Kouassi as well,” Rogers said.
The results were “hugely disappointing”, Rodgers said.
Arzani is certain to miss Australia’s November friendlies against South Korea and Lebanon, and appears to have no chance of making the Asian Cup defence, which begins on 6 January. A torn ACL could keep him out for as long as nine months.
The only glimmer of hope for the former Melbourne City youngster was that the club did not immediately confirm the full extent of the injury. He will reportedly have further scans next week.
Arzani moved to Manchester City after a breakout A-League season with Melbourne City, and as immediately sent on loan to Celtic. He was the youngest player to take the field at the World Cup in Russia, making a particularly eye-catching substitute appearance in Australia’s 1-1 draw with Denmark.
