There might be some Celtic fans who would have had flashbacks after watching Spain and Argentina’s World Cup Final showdown on Saturday.
Spain ran out winners in extra time, thanks to Ferran Torres’ winner, but not before Enzo Fernández was sent off in normal time.
Argentina’s bully-boy tactics didn’t work, as they kicked, punched, and kicked again their stylish opponents, who didn’t budge and showcased their class before lifting world football’s biggest trophy in New York.
However, it was the moment Fernández was shown a second yellow for sending Pau Cubarsi airborne that truly resonated, immediately conjuring wonderful memories of Jozo Simunovic doing the same in the Glasgow derby in 2017.
The difference between the two is that the former Celtic man timed his crunching tackle to perfection, all while sending Kenny Miller into the air, before he hit the Ibrox turf to the cries of the home crowd.
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Jozo Simunovic’s tackle on Kenny Miller relived after Enzo Fernández’s World Cup red card
The Glasgow derby never fails to deliver. It has produced some of the craziest, enthralling and edge-of-your-seat moments in the game.
That’s why Celtic and Rangers’ rivalry is the greatest in world football.
But watching Simunovic’s tackle on Miller again does bring back some fond memories.
First of all, what a team that was under Brendan Rodgers, and what a goal that could have been had Leigh Griffiths’ effort not hit the woodwork.
But Simunovic’s tackle was so good that it is still talked about today.
Most of the time, fans remember wonder goals or games, such as Celtic’s title win over Hearts on the final day of last season, including that Callum Osmand goal.
But you have to be really special to also be remembered for a memorable tackle – and that’s what Simunovic has achieved.
What is also sad is that, in 2026, and remember there was no VAR back then, that tackle probably would have been called a foul, and the Celtic defender probably would have been sent off by football’s most-hated technology.
Either way, it was great going down memory lane with that Simunovic tackle, because it should be celebrated until the end of time.
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