Jozo Simunovic has been linked with a move away from Celtic
Callum McGregor has told The Scottish Sun that Celtic need to keep hold of his ‘brilliant’ team-mate Jozo Simunovic.
Simunovic has been a revelation for Celtic since Neil Lennon replaced Brendan Rodgers in February.
The Croatian centre-back has kept loanee Filip Benkovic out of the first XI in recent months and formed an exceptional partnership with Kristoffer Ajer.
The Scottish Sun claimed this week that Spanish side Alaves were interested in signing the 24-year-old in a £4 million deal.
But McGregor says that it’s vital for the Hoops to retain the towering defender.
He told The Scottish Sun: “Jozo has been brilliant since the manager changed. He’s come up with big goals and looks a real top player again.
“He always had that in the locker but the last few months he’s brought that to the table again and I’m not surprised clubs are looking.
“But obviously we want our top players here to give us a chance to rebuild with the numbers we need. It’s important we keep the big players.”
McGregor is bang on here.
The Bhoys are already about to lose Dedryck Boyata on a Bosman to Hertha Berlin, while Benkovic will be returning to parent club Leicester City as things stand.
It would be detrimental for Celtic to lose three key centre-backs in one transfer window and if Simunovic is sold, chief executive Peter Lawwell might have a lot of explaining to do.
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