Jozo Simunovic

Thing that gets me this season, and it's not just Jozo, is the amount of time opposition players get running with the ball and no * tackles them. Midfield bar Broony are just as guilty of this as the defence

 

If you watch the replay there are 2 mistakes ,he doesnt check before the pass back ,but ajer is caught too square and let's doolan get away from him ,if boyata was playing he woulda dropped back to cover that space doolan ran into .

 

Putting any blame on Ajer for that is harsh. It's 100% jozo

 

No blaming him as such as he is inexperienced to a certain degree to our defence and his age ,you give him that ,jozzo should look ,his poor control puts him under pressure but ajer does let doolan goal side of him ,2 mistakes but jozzo mainly causes the goal.

 

Laughable performance. One of many this season..

Guy's been a total joke this year..

Another shitebag that looks like he couldn't give a *. "I just gave them 2 goals, did I?..

Efe would've been crucified..

 

He’s certainly capable but I’ve never really been 100% sold on the idea that Simunovic is the long term answer at the back.

Eager to see what Compper has to offer.

 

Sums it up..

 

I used to stand up for Jozo cause when he was playing the guy used to look a top class centre half. But coupled with his ridiculous injury record...his performance level has been very poor this season.

I think when his latest contract with us is up, he is going to really struggle to find another club. His injury record for a 23 year old is an absolute joke. The guy cant string 3 games together.....he cant play on artificial pitches at all....and now when he does play he is a constant * up.

This * German guy better be the next Beckenbauer or we are *

 

Bit of an overreatction as well though, the way people are talking is if he's been in terrible form or something when he's hardly been playing and probably only getting back fit, he's only played 4 games in the last 2 month and 1 of them was an appearance off the bench.

Since he signed for us he's played in 58 domestic games and we've only lost 1 of them, drawn 7 and won the other 50.

Even the European games he's played apart from PSG this season we've only conceded 1 goal in the other ones he played, Anderlecht at home nd away, Rosenborg home and away and Astana at home. 1 conceded in 5 tough games plus 2 clean sheets against Linfield. Last season he only played in the 2-0 Barca game and 1-1 Man City game, only 3 conceded in those 2 games is decent as well.

 

He was absolutely shocking for both of Partick's goals at the weekend. It was embarrassing defending. He needs to put that performance behind him and improve for when we face tougher sides.

I think his season has been up and down. There have been occasions where he's looked solid and put in great performances, then injury problems and a lack of form have come back to haunt him in 2018. Hopefully he can stay injury free and get back to his best for the remainder of the season.

 

Just looking back at the first 15 pages of this thread, we where warned about his injury record, his inconsistent performances and the papers claimed we paid £5.5m plus a 50% sell on clause but yet Ntcham is our most expensive signing since 2007 at £4.5m

 

It's weird looking back to the summer and I was gutted at the prospect of him and armstrong leaving. Now in hindsight we should have cashed in on both.

 

And Dembele could have got £35 - £40m for the 3 of them easy!

 

I have been a fan of Simunovic in his time at Celtic. I think for the most part when fit he has been a good defender for us. But that performance Saturday what the * was that all about. Absolute horror show from him on both goals. Partick never even remotely looked like scoring otherwise.
I have to wonder is he unsettled at Celtic. I have no idea if he is or not but the level or those errors suggests a player who's mind is not 100% on task because IMHO when he is fully focused he is a good player. I know he has not played a lot due to injury the past couple of months but for me Saturday was not a rust issue that was a mental issue.
All I can say is I think he is a good player and I hope he can get his head sorted and get back to his best for the remainder of the season. It will be very interesting to see if he starts on Thursday alongside Ajer as I imagine we will play a back 4 against Zenit. So who plays in the middle beside Ajer is the issue. With Boyata out and Compper ineligible will we risk throwing Hendry straight in or maybe start Biton instead of Simunovi or give Simunovic a shot at putting Saturday behind him.

 

I have heard various people claim to know he doesnt like life in Scotland and people did make a big deal (even if it was joking) about his face during the League Cup Final Celebrations in November there he looked like he wanted to be elsewhere!