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Jozo Simunovic

Discussion in 'Ex Players' started by Officer Doofy, Aug 15, 2015.

Discuss Jozo Simunovic in the Ex Players area at TalkCeltic.net.

  1. Henrik 07 Gold Member Gold Member

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    CELTIC defender Jozo Simunovic has been tipped for the top by Brendan Rodgers. The Croatian defender’s Hoops career almost came to an end in the summer before it truly started when he came close to moving to Serie A club Torino.

    But the transfer fell through at the last moment and that twist of fate has left the Hoops boss delighted as he believes the 22-year-old stopper has the talent to excel at the highest levels of the game.

    “Each day he has been great,” the manager said of working with the club’s defenders. “Mikael and Kieran have been regulars and both of them have been outstanding for me, and the little changes have been with Kolo and Jozo, who I believe will be a top-class talent.

    “He has been out for a long time so it’s about managing his games, but you could see he was a class-act yesterday (Sunday). He was composed, calm and showed great qualities.

    “Defensively, they have kept four clean sheets in the last six or seven games so they are improving that stability in the team.

    “We were very fortunate (not to lose him to Torino). From a coaching and management perspective, it was great news. It was difficult for him at the time but you can see now he’s really settled and he’s working his way back into the team and training and managing the injury that has kept him out for so long.”

    Sunday’s match was only Simunovic’s 23rd in Celtic colours, despite having joined the Bhoys last summer from Dinamo Zagreb.

    Injury seriously impeded his game-time at the Celts over the last year and he missed the best part of nine months of action in 2016, but his return to fitness and form for the Hoops has been hailed by the manager and his team-mates.

    In his six appearances so far this season, Simunovic has helped Celtic keep four clean sheets, the most recent of which came in the 1-0 weekend victory over Rangers which propelled the Hoops to the final of the League Cup.

    However, the Celtic manager insisted that patience will be key to getting the best out of the Croatian star as he continues to build a solid partnership with Erik Sviatchenko at the heart of the champions' backline.

    “When you have been out for so long, you can’t afford to throw someone into three games a week with the intensity and tempo we try to play at,” he explained. “It’s about nursing him back in and hopefully he will be able to play in those games we have, and between him and Erik you have a really strong partnership.”
     
  2. Officer Doofy Come to me, human man Gold Member

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    Good stuff.

    Big Kolo has been immense but I'd like to see Jozo and Erik at the back consistently, sooner rather than later.
     
  3. Henrik 07 Gold Member Gold Member

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    think we might see Erik and Jozo in the coming games.
     
    Officer Doofy likes this.
  4. AJ Styles Moussa Dembele's eyes Gold Member

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    Superb again classy defender
     
  5. Officer Doofy Come to me, human man Gold Member

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    What a lucky break that his transfer to Torino fell through.

    He's going to be a great player for us.
     
    Marty McFly likes this.
  6. Marty McFly Whoa, this is heavy

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    Solid again, really like this guy.

    Flashback to the transfer window when he could have been away too :s:
     
  7. Paul67 Administrator Administrator

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    He looks to be forming a good partnership with Erik.
     
  8. eddiemcd1888

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    He is absolute class...thank * his deal with Torino fell through!
     
  9. CookieMonster Geez yer cookies Gold Member

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    Solid in a tackle and very comfortable on the ball, him and Erik are brilliant together. Would play him as a back 3 with Toure and Erik against Gladbach.
     
  10. Sean Daleer Free Palestine Gold Member

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    What a player. Even when he was in and out of the team when he first joined I thought he looked a player.

    Well showing it now.
     
  11. This Charming Man

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    As much as a I like Kolo I think his experience won't matter too much in the SPL, as most of the time we shouldn't have to/won't need to dig deep, thus meaning a player's talent is more desirable/important. If we still had a chance in the CL I would favour keeping Kolo in the team but now I think getting Jozo as much game time and experience as possible should be a priority. As mentioned, he's forming a great partnership with Erik.
     
  12. Officer Doofy Come to me, human man Gold Member

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    Yeah I agree with this.

    It's fantastic we have Kolo and he's been immense for us, but Jozo and Erik should be the first choice pairing and I think they will be now. Away at Pittodrie is as hard as it will get for us domestically and Jozo was solid.
     
  13. barrybhoy85

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    Looked class today. Have a feeling we'll only get a season out of him sadly.
     
  14. Norm Peterson

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    He's going to be brilliant for Southampton in two years time!
     
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  15. Sean Daleer Free Palestine Gold Member

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    Loving the last two posts, full of the joys... :rolleyes:
     
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  16. Doogs. Lustig your the one, you still turn me on.

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    Sick of the Southampton patter, pish.
     
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  17. barrybhoy85

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    Apologies, but we almost sold him in the summer having hardly kicked a ball for us. Now he's pushed on and looking good. I hope he stays.
     
  18. Sean Daleer Free Palestine Gold Member

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    It was definitely a strange situation in the summer.

    I can only assume we were/are worried about his physical fitness and we tried to cash in.

    He is a great player though, if he can stay injury free then he will go on to better things eventually.
     
  19. Liam Scales Gold Member Gold Member

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    Won his place off of Toure I think.
     
  20. AJ Styles Moussa Dembele's eyes Gold Member

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    He's only 22 frightening to think how good he could become