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Sydney FC striker Corey Gameiro has implored Socceroos youngster Tom Rogic to come back to the A-League, amid rumours the Celtic midfielder could link with the Sky Blues.
The former Mariner has struggled to make an impact during his time at the Scottish giants and has sought a loan move to enhance his World Cup prospects.
A deal with former mentor Graham Arnold's J-League club Vegalta Sendai fell through this week. But with the news Brett Emerton is hanging up his boots at Sydney FC, a spot has opened for a replacement marquee man.
Gameiro himself made a full-time return to A-League this season after stints with Fulham and PSV Eindhoven and said he couldn't see any negatives with Rogic coming back.
"My opinion is that he needs to be playing, and if he is not at Celtic he needs to get out on loan or go somewhere where he is going to play and develop," Gameiro said.
"It is only going to benefit him playing somewhere where he is going to be getting game time and some exposure.
"He is in the mix for the World Cup squad.
"For him to be here playing consistently, showing how good he is under the eye of Ange [Postecoglou], it is only going to benefit him."
Postecoglou has said he will favour players who see regular first-team action when he selects his World Cup squad for this year's tournament in Brazil.
"It [Emerton] is a big loss to Australian football," Gameiro said.
"He is for my generation someone I looked up to and watched a lot of TV.
"He is the very, very professional athlete.
"For whatever reason it is, he has decided to do it and I am sure it hasn't just been a wake-up this morning and that's it.
"As a mate and as a teammate, I wish him all the best."