JOZO’S THE LAST MAN STANDING
Unflappable defender is not afraid of change and is confident he can help Celtic reach the group stage, no matter who his partner is for crunch Astana tie
AFTER taking the controversial step to change his footballing nationality from Croatia to Bosnia this summer, Jozo Simunovic is unlikely to be perturbed by the odd change of centre-half partner.
Simunovic endured injury issues throughout his first year in Scotland but, with his talent and unperturbed outlook, he emerges as the perfect man for Brendan Rodgers to lean on right now. The 23-year-old has been entirely unruffled throughout a series of alterations at the heart of Celtic’s defence on the path to the play-off stage of Champions League qualifying.
Dedryck Boyata went down in pre-season and won’t be back for a couple of months, leaving Erik Sviatchenko to pair up in Belfast. Rodgers then opted for a back three for the home leg against Linfield before
I always feel that I have responsibility in every game. It’s my position
introducing Kristoffer Ajer for his first Celtic appearance in a year against Rosenborg in Glasgow.
Sviatchenko was hurt 25 minutes into the second tie in Norway on Wednesday night, prompting yet another reshuffle with midfielder Nir Bitton slotting in alongside Simunovic. All the while, Celtic stood strong with Simunovic the constant and have not conceded in competitive European action.
Simunovic, who switched international allegiance to his parents’ homeland Bosnia despite representing Croatia from Under-14 to Under-21 level, could be accompanied by Bitton when Celtic’s charge to the Champions League continues against Kazakhstani opponents from last season Astana. Kieran Tierney or Mikael Lustig are other options.
Whatever the solution assigned from Rodgers for the two huge qualifying contests, the tranquil Simunovic has not one concern. ‘For me it’s not difficult, I think I’ve shown that,’ said Simunovic.
‘Some things you can’t change, they just happen. So you just need to reorganise your head during the game and be able to adjust to different players. But to be honest, we all know each other so well over a year. That’s the key. We haven’t had that many changes.
‘That’s four games, no goals, with four different defences in Europe now this season. That means a lot. The key thing is that we looked good. Sometimes you can finish a game without conceding a goal but, if you look back, you might not get the feeling it was good.
‘This time it feels good — although it can still be better. I always feel that I have responsibility anyway. In every game. It is part of my position, you know. You are the last guy, the goalkeeper is behind but responsibility is always with you. But it always means a lot to keep a clean sheet, for a defender and especially a goalkeeper. It’s our job.
‘We have a very good season behind us and don’t have any reason for doubt. We have confidence and faith. Last season gives us that. Now we have to keep going and be better and better and we can do this.’
Simunovic was laid up at home recovering from a serious knee problem during last year’s qualifiers as Celtic travelled to the Kazakhstani capital to chisel out a 1-1 draw then scrape through with a late Moussa Dembele penalty at Parkhead.
These were the earliest of days for the Rodgers regime to take shape in pressure circumstances. Now, battle-hardened from the Rosenborg ties, Simunovic believes Celtic can overcome the match-fit edge boasted by Astana 21 games into their league season.
‘We talk about what happened last year a lot,’ said Simunovic. ‘I watched the game. This year is a completely different story. I feel we are a better team now than then. They are mid-season but we had the same situation at Rosenborg.
‘Okay, it’s one part and it can only be a plus to have that many games behind you. But we also finished a good pre-season with many games in friendlies and in Europe. It doesn’t matter. We will give our best in every game and we are ready for that.
‘They are unbeaten in 14 games at home. That is a lot. But what is most important is that we are winning and know we can go through. We don’t need to be scared, you know. We just need to keep going like we have the last four games.
‘We believe in ourselves and it doesn’t matter who comes or wherever we go. It’s about us all being together for a whole year. We are still together and the group is getting stronger and stronger. We just want to bring the Champions League here again. It’s the best competition and we all need it.’