FRANCE boss Didier Deschamps has singled out Celtic ace Tom Rogic as Australia's danger man ahead of their World Cup showdown.

The 1998 winners will meet the Socceroos on Saturday in both nations' opening game of Russia 2018 in Kazan.

France are among the favourites to win the tournament, with Australia facing a huge fight to qualify from their Group, with Denmark and Peru also in it.

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And Deschamps - who led his country to the quarter-final of the last World Cup and the Euro 2016 Final has admitted he's wary of Hoops playmaker Rogic.

He said: "Australia used to be a defensive side, but they have changed that and now have an attacking threat.

"I am concerned about their strength going forward - in particular Tom Rogic. They also have Andrew Nabbout, who is an exciting player.

"They are well organised and can be an aggressive team.

"We have completed our homework on them. It's a very difficult game against a team who will work very hard indeed.

"I have told our players to be careful about the attacking threat Australia undoubtedly pose."

And star striker Antoine Griezmann insists Rogic and co. will be a tricky opponent for them.

Read more: Ex-Celtic winger Paddy McCourt retires to lead youth set-up

The Atletico Madrid hitman pointed out: "We played the USA and could only draw and I think Australia are better than them.

"So that's an indication about what's in store for us in Russia.

"We need to be on top of our game."

Former Celtic winger Paddy McCourt, meanwhile, has announced he is to hang up his boots after being appointed Derry City’s youth academy chief.

The 34-year-old will take up the role in September when his contract with current club, Finn Harps, in the League of Ireland First Division, expires.

The Northern Ireland internationalist spent a five-year spell at Parkhead and the manager who signed him, Gordon Strachan, said he was “as gifted a footballer as I have ever seen”.

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However, ‘the Derry Pele’ has slipped back down the ranks since leaving the Hoops in 2013 and his future now lies in his new role as head of the youth academy at Derry, where he spent three seasons as a player.

McCourt said: “I’m really happy to be coming back to Derry City and in particular to have the opportunity to oversee this new development programme.

“The club has identified an area where they feel more work is needed to secure the future of the younger players as they come through the ranks and it is a challenge I am relishing.

“It looks like there will be plenty of work ahead, so I have notified Finn Harps that I will be retiring when my current contract is up to concentrate fully on this role.”