The Croatian defender has proven his worth at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers.
Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic in action
In the summer Celtic came very close to selling one of their defenders. When Joe Hart made a shock switch from Manchester City to Italian club Torino on loan last summer he was not alone on the plane flying out.
Jozo Simunovic headed out to Turin as it looked like he was set to join the Serie A club permanently from Celtic, after a disappointing first season in Glasgow.
Torino’s sporting director Gianluca Petrachi claimed to Toro News that there was a problem with Simunovic’s medical and that Torino attempted to renegotiate a loan deal with Celtic, which would become permanent for £3.75 million if he proved his fitness.
But Celtic refused and he looked set for a season in the wilderness at Parkhead.
Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic celebrates scoring their first goal
However, Celtic fans will now be very pleased the deal collapsed. The Croatian did not sulk and has established himself as a firm favourite of Brendan Rodgers, playing 20 times this season and scoring one goal.
He has proved himself a real talent for Celtic and fans at the club will be pleased he ended up sticking around.
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