Celtic missed out on the group stages of the UEFA Champions League last season, can they make it back to the big stage?
The Hoops play FK Sarajevo on Wednesday night for the opportunity to face Nomme Kalju in the second round of qualifying, with a further two rounds to navigate after that.
Although seeded throughout the process, it’s a gruelling schedule that Neil Lennon’s side must be at the top of their game for throughout.
Simunovic though believes that the prize of playing on the biggest stage in club football can motivate his teammates to get the job done.
As quoted by CelticFC.net, the Croatian defender said: “That’s what we’re always chasing, it’s what we’re always looking for and where we always want to be. In the same way we gave everything in the first game, we’ll do the same in the second, third, fourth, hopefully all the way to qualification.
“It would mean a lot to play in the Champions League again.”
Simunovic, perhaps more than anyone in the Celtic squad, is under pressure to perform right now after the acquisition of Christopher Jullien who, according to The Scottish Sun, was signed for £7m.
He and Kristoffer Ajer formed a partnership in the tail-end of last season that got the Hoops over the line in the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup, but at Celtic Park you’re only as good as your last game and competition is ramping up in the defensive areas.
Lennon is likely to proceed with a two central defender formation and it means that Simunovic must maintain consistency or risks losing his place in the team.
However, if Simunovic can help guide the Hoops towards the group stages of the Champions League, it’ll go a long way towards proving he’s earned his spot in Lennon’s side.
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