Celtic's rising star Tom Rogic will be encouraged to take his game to the next level when Australia coach Ange Postecoglou throws him into action in upcoming AFC World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Tajikistan.
The talented 22-year-old has long been touted as the next star playmaker for the national team. But after earning nine caps since his debut in 2012, injuries have stalled the former Central Coast Mariners midfielder's career -- causing him to miss the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Asian Cup.
Socceroos boss Postecoglou, however, has revealed that Rogic was always part of his long-term plans for reigning Asian champions in an exclusive interview with ESPN FC.
"We do not have any massive expectations in the short term about him," Postecoglou said. "However, we are keen to take him into the national setup and encourage him to take his football to another level."
Rogic, who has never played in a Postecoglou-coached side, has turned the corner during his injury-plagued spell at the Glasgow giants. After making just 11 league appearances in the previous three seasons, Rogic has already played in four matches in the 2015-16 campaign, scoring two goals.
"It is great to have him back," Postecoglou said. "He is a very talented player but has had a few injury problems. The fact that Celtic have persevered with him shows they rate him highly as well."
Rogic's chances of featuring in the next two games increased with the injury-forced withdrawal of Bayer Leverkusen winger Robbie Kruse and Roda JC forward Tomi Juric.
Postecoglou added that he wasn't concerned that some of his other key players had struggled to find clubs for the new season.
James Troisi has just signed with Saudi Arabia's Ittihad FC while fellow attacker Tommy Oar linked up last week with English Championship outfit, Ipswich Town.
"We've had these kind of challenges as to where the players are at... some of them are finding their way in terms of where they'll be," he said.
"The whole idea about the last two years has been to create some depth. So that when players struggle short term with career choices or form others can come in."
It will be Australia's first full international in Perth since March 2005 when they beat Indonesia 3-0 at Subiaco Oval with current Socceroos' assistant Ante Milicic scoring two of the goals.
"It's going to be an exciting game as we're playing at home for the first time since the Asian Cup final in January," he said.
"The players really enjoyed the Asian Cup experience playing in front of home crowds. It's [nib Stadium] is a great stadium and pitch. With a full house it's going to be a great atmosphere."
As for the little known opponents Bangladesh -- and Tajikistan away five days later -- Postecoglou added that his staff had done their homework.
He said: "Yes, these are challenging games as the first one [a 2-1 win in Kyrgyzstan on June 16] proves. We believe in preparing meticulously against every team and these countries are no exceptions. They have played two matches and we have scouts there. So we're prepared.
"Home games are very important -- we need to win those as road trips are going to be tougher."