On the day Celtic managed to reportedly fend off Arsenal’s pursuit of Kieran Tierney, we must also do the same for any Jozo Simunovic interest.
Earlier today, the Daily Record reported that Celtic had rejected a third bid for Tierney from the Gunners. It has apparently led to Arsenal turning their attentions elsewhere in a morale-boosting move for Celtic fans.
But yet another one of our defenders has been interesting a club in a major European league. Simunovic was linked with Ligue 1 outfit Lille last week (Scottish Sun). That was then followed up by their manager, Christopher Galtier, stating his admiration for the Croatian-born Bosnian (La Voix Dunord).
The figure being branded about is £5million (Scottish Sun). Sure, that seems tempting. After all, Simunovic isn’t actually part of our first-choice centre-back partnership. So raking in £5m would be a cool sum, right?
Well, not really.
For a start, it’s too late in the day to start this nonsense with regards to selling reliable squad players. Simunovic has featured in every pre-season and competitive game since the campaign kicked off. He’s clearly an important part of what Neil Lennon is trying to build, as he continues to be first reserve for the Hoops.
Jozo Simunovic interest must be dismissed
Sure, when Christopher Jullien reaches full fitness, he should take Jozo’s place. But he isn’t fully-fit as it stands, and Simunovic is so reliable as a deputy.
It’s not so much the quality of Simunovic, but more to do with the situation we would be left in should we get rid of him. As it stands, losing Simunovic would see us with just Jullien and Kristoffer Ajer as reliable centre-backs. If Celtic sign Hatem Abd Elhamed, he can, of course, play in that position too – but even then he’s likely to be our first-choice right-back.
One injury to Jullien or Ajer and it’s back to Nir Bitton at centre-back. Below Nir would be Jack Hendry, who desperately needs to find a route out of Celtic Park this summer.
Selling Simunovic not worth the quick buck
If Celtic sold Simunovic for a quick buck, it would leave us in a highly vulnerable position at the back. We would need to bring two further centre-backs in, and that could prove a struggle to get the right quality in.
Celtic have no offers to mull over at the moment. Nothing official has reportedly been launched, and that’s one positive. But if there is a deal to consider, Celtic need to consider the whole pie – not just Simunovic’s ability in relation to the fee. We have to look at where this leaves us, and whether we can replace him easily enough with better quality and still be able to get further cover in.
The safe bet would be to just turn Lille and any other interest parties away this summer. Given how much cover we still need at the back, Celtic shouldn’t be in a selling mood when it comes to what’s already here.
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