Simunovic glad to join forces with Benkovic

BORN three years apart in Zagreb in the 1990s, the paths of Jozo Simunovic and Filip Benkovic only crossed briefly at local favourites Dinamo before the inevitable flying of the nest.

Sunday at Hampden proved to be quite the reunion. Brought together on a field once again, more by accident than design, Celtic’s slender Betfred Cup success over Aberdeen owed much to the combined efforts of the men from the Balkans.

‘It is amazing for there to be two Croatian centre-halves together for Celtic,’ said Simunovic after the 1-0 victory. ‘Finally, after four years, we are reunited again.

‘We had one game at Dinamo Zagreb and it was a 0-0 away draw against the team Rangers played, Osijek.

‘Sunday was our second game together and it was really enjoyable.

‘We could never have imagined that one day we’d play together for Celtic in a winning cup final. ‘Filip is my wee brother.’ As ever on such occasions, the bottom line was all that mattered. For all Aberdeen dug in and made Celtic work for a third straight success in the competition, the Dons had no answer to Ryan Christie’s smart finish on the stroke of half-time.

Simunovic came as close as any man on the field to providing one. Slicing a loose ball towards his own goal just moments after replacing Dedryck Boyata, he would have sensed it was his side’s day when the ball bounced back off Scott Bain’s bar.

‘My first touch of the ball, I was obviously trying to clear it — not send it towards our goal,’ he smiled.

‘I wanted to make sure the ball went out, but then I saw the direction was a bit different than I thought. It came off the crossbar and was cleared, so that was good.

‘But, then, I also managed to keep the ball on the pitch. The gaffer doesn’t like us to smash the ball into the corner or anywhere off the pitch. All of that was planned!’

To his credit, Simunovic settled into the match thereafter. Largely playing for set-pieces, Aberdeen went long in search of the goal but found Celtic’s new-look central defence unwilling to yield.

They are likely to reprise the partnership at Fir Park tomorrow. Boyata soldiered on after an awful head clash with Gary MackaySteven only to retire early with a hamstring issue on the hour mark.

‘We hope Dedryck is okay,’ added Simunovic.

‘But if Filip and I are to continue to play together, then I’m sure we’ll do well.

‘We are very lucky. Filip signed for Leicester but then had a chance to join Celtic. We spoke and I told him the fans are amazing and it is a huge club.

‘Zagreb is also a very big club, so that is good for your mentality. It is better than fighting for a team that is middle of the table. That is not the same.’

As intriguing as the all-Croatian central defence may be, there is a reason why Brendan Rodgers had not fielded it until circumstances left him with no other option.

A disgruntled figure in the summer, Boyata has been at the top of his game since knuckling down.

Benkovic too, has looked worth every penny of the £13million Leicester paid for him. It’s no coincidence that in his 12 Celtic appearances to date, the team has lost just three goals.

‘Why can’t he stay with Celtic longer?’ Simunovic said of his friend and compatriot.

‘Filip is playing regularly — and that is important for every player.

‘I think he is very happy. We will see what happens later.’

Experiences like Sunday don’t do Simunovic’s state of mind any harm, either.

Injury and his occasional penchant for rash decisionmaking have undermined his reputation as a defender of substance.

But he remains committed to the cause. Perhaps even more so since becoming reunited with an old friend.

‘I’ve been a bit unlucky. I have to say that,’ added the 24-year-old.

‘I felt okay when I started the game in Leipzig and everything was okay. I was unlucky with the challenge and landing badly on my ankle. It was hurt again.

‘But now I’m fit once more and I’m just looking forward.

‘I am happy with Celtic. I have two years left of my contract.

‘As long as I’m playing, I’m settled.’