KEANU LEAVES

Asian Cup Baccus blow but Robbo hopes Hoops are hit even harder

- ANDY NEWPORT

STEPHEN ROBINSON has admitted that Australia’s gain will be St Mirren’s loss after learning that midfielder Keanu Baccus will be whisked away on Asian Cup duty. 

However, the Paisley gaffer is keeping fingers crossed that Celtic will be hit harder by call-ups when his side take on the Hoops just after New Year.

Robinson had hoped to have his Socceroos star available for their January 2 clash with Brendan Rodgers's side at the SMISA.

But those plans have been dashed after Baccus was ordered to report for duty with Graham Arnold’s squad on January 1 ahead of the finals in Qatar.

The Socceroos begin their campaign against India on January 13 and the 2015 winners will be expecting to go deep in a tournament that runs until February 10.