TOM ROGIC has had time merely to draw breath before throwing himself headlong into the most important – and hectic – year of his life.

The 20-year-old Aussie has just finished celebrating helping his country become one of the first qualifiers for next summer's World Cup finals in Brazil.

Between now and that samba soccer-fest kicking off, his target is to break through into Celtic's first team and reap the reward for turning his back on the chance to join Fulham, QPR or Reading.

Inroads have already been made towards securing a regular spot in Neil Lennon's side.

The rangy midfielder suffered through only signing for the Hoops in a £440,000 deal at the end of January, after meeting up with his new team-mates for the first time during their mid-season break in Spain.

But Rogic still managed to make eight appearances as Celtic chased down the SPL and Scottish Cup double to add to the championship he won with Central Coast Mariners on his debut season as a professional.

Lennon has been impressed by the way the level-headed youngster has adapted to moving halfway around the world.

But the Hoops boss and Rogic have been in accord that only after having the benefit of a full pre-season with the SPL champions will the best of the player be seen by the supporters.

That promises to be something special as the man whose rise from futsal star to World Cup finals contender has already marked him as one to watch.

The youngster who has won six caps since making his international bow back in November said: "I think I'm a better player and much well-rounded now.

"I'm a lot sharper and stronger as well. I feel I've developed in the past six months, continue to progress and am heading in the right direction.''

Rogic refuses to set any targets. But just as importantly, he refuses to set any ceilings.

Given how quickly and unexpectedly he has risen through the ranks of the game in the past 18 months, since his emergence from a Nike Soccer Academy in January last year, that's a wise strategy.

Australia's national team boss, Holger Osieck, has quickly joined his rapidly-growing fan club.

Rogic is now established as a regular in his squad. And his introduction as a sub in their World Cup qualifiers against Jordan and then Iraq confirmed his position as a rising star of a Socceroos side which is itself on the up.

The likeable youngster could not hide what it meant to him. He said: "Going to a World Cup. Unreal.

"I would have never thought that was possible a year ago. To be here now, it's still hard to believe."

The Oz team are making their plans for their warm-up games ahead of heading to Rio next summer, and that will inevitably mean much more time in the air for Rogic this season.

Former Celtic striker, Scott McDonald, proved this can be managed by utilising all the science now available to players required to make frequent long-haul journeys.

But it is the short hop to the Celtic first-team which is the main focus for the very-grounded Rogic at the moment.

And after checking into the squad's German training camp a couple of days ago, he is already working hard on the fitness programme specifically drawn up for him.

Tonight's game against FC Cluj might come too soon for him though the late running of the Australian national team's season means that he has had little time to drop his core fitness.

There is no hiding the fact Rogic wants to get the chance to be involved in Lennon's preparations for their opening Champions League qualifier against Cliftonville on July 17.

But it is a long campaign which stretches out ahead of him, and he can rest assured that the Hoops boss has plans for him.

The loping running style is reminiscent of that which made Billy Stark so effective for St Mirren, Aberdeen then Celtic in the 80s.

The man who is now in charge of the Scotland Under-21 side went on to score more than 100 league goals from his midfield position, and Rogic is tipped to make a similar impact, if not scoring contribution.

He has taken everything that has happened to him in his elegant stride, and is now bracing himself for what the future has in store.

Rogic was criticised by some for rejecting the chance to play in the Barclays Premier League.

But he believes the progress he has made since signing for Celtic – both within his own game and in terms of his international development – is irrefutable proof he made the right choice.

He said: "The past 12 months have been amazing for me, and it's really just the beginning. I feel privileged to be a part of this football club and, hopefully, I can continue to progress."

Combining playing for Australia and Celtic has pushed his development into over-drive, and Rogic is happy to absorb all that is being thrown at him.

He said: "Playing for Australia is different to playing for Celtic as you have more time on the ball.

But, if you make a mistake, you're punished. It's been a good learning curve for me and I'm enjoying every moment."