Simunovic ‘torn hamstring’ has Celtic in a sweat

Celtic have been dealt a major injury blow over Jozo Simunovic after the Bosnian FA claimed the defender is suffering from a hamstring tear.

The 23-year-old centreback was rested for Celtic’s 2-2 draw with Hibs on Saturday and was supposed to report for international duty for the country he chose to play for over Croatia for their World Cup double-header against Belgium and Estonia.

He previously played in Celtic’s 2-0 win against Rangers, despite being

rated as doubtful before the match by manager Brendan Rodgers due to a knee injury.

But Simunovic has been withdrawn by the Bosnians after doctors revealed a tear in his hamstring.

Bosnian FA team doctor Reuf Karabeg said: “Our manager, Mehmed Bazdarevic, and I talked to Jozo’s doctor at Celtic and we got access to all the documentation on the injury’s condition.

“The findings of the scan clearly shows he has a rupture of the hamstring and a hematoma four centimetres long.”

If the diagnosis is correct it will be a serious concern for Celtic who have some huge games coming up this month.

They face a Champions League double-header against Bayern Munich as well as a League Cup semifinal against Hibs and a midweek league trip to joint Premiership leaders Aberdeen.