Celtic’s Simunovic out for weeks with defender set to go under the knife

CELTIC defender Jozo Simunovic faces further time on the sidelines after being booked in for knee surgery.

The centre-back has missed the last four games and a trip to see a specialist on Friday has resulted in action.

Manager Neil Lennon said: “Jozo’s in for surgery. He’s going to have a clean-out in the knee, an arthroscopy it’s called.”

The surgery is likely to see him sit on the sidelines for weeks rather t han months.

Celtic are set to have an unchanged squad for their Europa League group opener against Rennes on Thursday with f r i nge players Luca Connell and Marian Shved the only players to join Simunovic, Nir Bitton (hamstring) and Mikey Johnston (groin) on the sidelines.

“Nir and Mikey will be more towards the end of the month,” Lennon said.

“There are no fresh injury worries from the weekend, just a couple of injured boys in training.

“Luca Connell picked up a slight thigh strain and Marian has a little ankle sprain as well, so they will be out for Thursday.”

Despite the absence of Simunovic and more recently Bitton, Celtic’s new-look defence has had some encouraging signs in recent weeks.

Celtic have kept three clean sheets in their last five games and Lennon hopes to continue that trend in France along with another one, which has seen his team score in all 14 matches this season.

“I still want the goals,” he said. “I still want us to be a threat. I still want us to play with the purpose and penetration that we have shown so far this season.

“It might be difficult on Thursday at times where we may not have t he dominant side of possession but the players are well-equipped to go and score and pose a threat.”

Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic has a knee problem.