01.11.2018 06:43 h

Socceroos sweat over Arzani after Celtic injury

The Socceroos were sweating over the fitness of Daniel Arzani Thursday after the exciting young striker was stretchered off on his debut for Scottish powerhouse Celtic.

The Iranian-born 19-year-old, who turned heads at the World Cup in Russia this year, went down clutching his knee barely 20 minutes into his first game for the Glasgow side.

"An unfortunate end to @iamdanielarzani's @CelticFC debut. Fingers crossed nothing too serious," tweeted the Australian national team.

Reports in Australia said he may have torn his anterior cruciate ligament, which could potentially need surgery and a long recovery period.

It is a major blow for the Socceroos who were banking on having Arzani fit for the defence of their Asian Cup title in the United Arab Emirates in January. They are due to play friendlies against South Korea and Lebanon this month.

Fellow Australian Tom Rogic, who also plays for Celtic, said it was a worry.

"Obviously it didn't look great, him going down and getting stretchered off," he told reporters.

"It's a shame. Hopefully it's nothing serious and I guess we'll wait and see what the scan results are."