Simunovic on mission to express himself
Croat fitting in with Bhoys’ foreign legion as Collins sings his praises
THE problems with Celtic’s defence are not only multilayered. They are also multi-national. In a 2-2 draw with Ajax, the back four comprised a Swede, a Croatian debutant, a Belgian and — for 73 minutes — a Honduran. They were reinforced before time-up by a Swiss and a Nigerian.
This is the reality of Celtic’s transfer policy. Via fees of £5.5million for Ki Sung-Yueng, £12m for Victor Wanyama and £13.5m for Virgil van Dijk, the end justifies the means eventually. Along the way, teething troubles and communication issues are inevitable. In any dressing room it may be good to talk. But it’s not always easy.
‘Of course it will take time,’ said assistant manager John Collins. ‘They have to get to know each other, their strengths and weaknesses, communication. But I was pleased with the way we defended the other night.’
The same could not be said after Malmo or Aberdeen where set-pieces were handled like hand grenades. A balanced, confident debut by £3m Jozo Simunovic in the Amsterdam ArenA improved things.
Avoiding mishap, the debutant showed an ability to defend with both f eet. The reason f or his impressive balance is unusual.
‘I use my left hand and usually that would mean you use your left foot,’ said the former Dinamo Zagreb defender.
‘But for me it is different. I can play with the left — but my better leg is my right leg. I never have a problem with the left foot and I can play with my left and right.’
Insisting a proper balance and understanding can only come with time, however, Collins added: ‘New players coming in, you don’t just press a button and it all happens overnight. The best players in the world can take time.
‘Some clubs spend £50m... Thierry Henry for six months never scored a goal at Arsenal and everyone was writing him off. It takes time.
‘You have to be patient with these players. I thought Simunovic had an excellent debut. Very good.
‘He’s what we were looking for and what we always look for in a central defender. A footballing centre-half, someone comfortable on the ball and happy carrying it forward.
‘ Of course he has to win his headers and his challenges. I thought he acquitted himself very well on his first big test.’
Ajax in the Amsterdam ArenA would be no one’s idea of the perfect venue for a centre-half to make his first start. Simunovic admitted to early nerves.
‘Maybe a little,’ he said. ‘When the referee started the game, I felt normal again and just enjoyed playing football.’
At 21, he lacks the physique of van Dijk, but hopes to adapt to his new cultural environment without the transition having a negative impact on his game, saying: ‘I am in a hotel now but next week I am looking at some apartments and I will choose one to live in.
‘The people are similar to Croats. Everyone is approachable, kind and willing to help.’
It could take time to understand fully what team-mates such as captain Scott Brown are actually saying. Communication with defensive partner Dedryck Boyata is uncomplicated because both players speak measured English.
Boyata has only played a handful of games himself, but is virtually an old head i n comparison with Simunovic.
‘Dedryck’s a communicator and Jozo has just come in and it will take him a few weeks to get the real communication into his game,’ admitted Collins. ‘That’s vital for defenders as they have the whole game in front of them. They have to be talking to defenders and midfielders.’
Relationships have yet to develop. At Schiphol Airport, the new players sat in the baggage hall, scanning mobiles and listening to music. If they looked like complete strangers, the reason for that is clear enough. They virtually are.
‘I don’t know how long it will take to settle,’ said Simunovic. ‘It is not easy. I am thinking just game by game and we will see. I will need some time.
‘It was maybe difficult at the start but I wanted to come to this club. There is a problem with the language but I will learn and it will be OK.
‘I wanted to test myself. It is normal in a football player’s life to do this. I wanted this chance.’
Collins says Celtic’s management will keep the instructions simple. To go and win the ball.
They could have used that advice for an Ajax equaliser, which flew through a ruck of bodies and into the net. With Emilio Izaguirre red-carded for a second yellow card with 17 minutes to play, however, a point proved a reasonable outcome for a team trying to bed down an international cast of new faces.
‘It is difficult,’ Collins admitted. ‘That’s why it is important it is a nice, friendly club, well organised. When we get new players, we have to try to make them f eel as welcome as possible.
‘We’ll try to help them with every aspect. When they train, when they go into the stadium to play.
‘Obviously, the players who are already here have a responsibility to welcome the new boys and try to help them as much as possible, but I think we do that very well. We do everything we can.
‘I know what it’s like to go abroad. A new language, new culture, new league. Everything’s new. It can be stressful. When you are stressed, you can lose energy.
‘So we try to help the new boys as much as possible.’