Arzani jumping through the Hoops in Celtic endurance test

Daniel Arzani is being pushed through a rigorous training regime of daily double sessions, as Celtic’s fitness conditioners bid to get the budding Socceroos star game-ready for the hurly-burly of Scottish football.

The 19-year-old playmaker arrived in Glasgow on loan from Manchester City under-done after a month of inactivity following the FIFA World Cup, where he amassed 58 minutes off the bench for Australia in three eye-catching cameos.

But he’s now playing catch-up at the Hoops' picturesque Lennoxtown training complex, which has become like a second home to the Iran-born excitement machine as he carries the hopes of a nation heading towards Australia’s defense of the AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates in four months.

Arzani clocks in for work at 8am each day, punching out at around 3pm.

Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers is playing a game of patience with Arzani, who is set for a two-season stay at Parkhead with the possibility of a permanent move if both parties take a shine to each other.

Northern Irishman Rodgers is well aware that Arzani’s football resume is only just unfurling and that he was substituted in 11 of his 18 starts for Melbourne City during his debut professional season.

He has still to prove himself as a 90-minute performer, a task made even more challenging in the ultra-physical environment of the Scottish game, where tackles often come with X-certificate ratings.

Rodgers’ rationale is to gradually bring Arzani up to speed, instill him with extra endurance and make sure not to put him at undue risk of injury as he begins his new life for the club chasing a hat-trick of domestic trebles.

Arzani has been training with the senior squad but has yet to travel with the team, who will now embark on a UEFA Europa League campaign after their Champions League exit at the hands of AEK Athens.

It’s unknown at this point when Rodgers will deem him ready for combat, but it’s safe to assume he won’t be involved in Friday’s (AEST) Europa League clash against Lithuanian league leaders Sudova.

Celtic are at home to Hamilton on Monday morning before the second leg against Sudova, and the first Old Firm derby of the season against Rangers next weekend.

Arzani, who is expected to move into a Glasgow apartment imminently, jets off for a six-day Socceroos training camp in Turkey with Celtic teammate Tom Rogic directly after the Rangers duel.

He will be part of a 30-man squad for a familiarisation session with new boss Graham Arnold.

Arnold has made it clear his reign will have an accent on youth, with Arzani the likely torchbearer.