Simunovic, Jonny Hayes leave Celtic

LONDON: Scottish Premiership champions Celtic announced on Saturday they have decided against extending the contracts of both Jozo Simunovic and Jonny Hayes.

“I would like to sincerely thank both Jozo and Jonny, brilliant lads who have given their all

to Celtic over a number of years,” said Celtic manager Neil Lennon.

“Jozo has been part of our great club for some time and has given us some wonderful times, playing a really important part in our success. Jonny, too, has been an important player for the club in recent years.

“Above all, both are great men and everyone at Celtic wishes Jozo and Jonny and their families all the very best for the future. We are sure they will continue to be successful in everything they do. “Both players leave Celtic as nine-in-arow champions, something they have earned, an achievement they richly deserve and something

I know they will cherish dearly.” Centre-back Simunovic joined Celtic from Dinamo Zagreb in 2015 and went on to make 125 appearances for the club while managing a knee problem during his time with the Glasgow giants.

The 25-year-old scored the winner against Kilmarnock after 67 minutes while wearing the number five jersey made famous by Billy McNeill — Celtic’s captain when they won the European Cup in 1967 — in the first game after the former Hoops manager’s death last year. Utility player Hayes, a Republic of Ireland international made 68 appearances after arriving from Aberdeen in 2017. —AFP

‘SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM’ Spurs only sit four points behind Man United in fifth, which could be good enough for a Champions League spot depending on the result of Man City’s appeal.

Kane, a two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner, has scored 17 goals for Tottenham in all competitions this season, including 11 from 20 appearances in the league.

“I am feeling good, I am feeling sharp,” he added. “It has been good to do some individual training, a bit of finishing, a lot of individual drills to work on my game and improve.

“I am at a stage where I am looking forward to getting some games and hopefully I’ll be back playing before too long.

“It is a good shock to the system. It has been very intense... “Hopefully I’ll be back in a better place (than) before I was injured and look forward to a busy next year.” —AFP