Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic has been linked with Crystal Palace and Newcastle.
Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic has told The Scottish Sun that he doesn’t want to leave the club during the January transfer window amid links with Newcastle United and Crystal Palace.
Simunovic, 22, joined Celtic from Dinamo Zagreb in his native Croatia back in September 2015, and was snapped up as a replacement for Virgil van Dijk following the Dutchman’s move to Southampton.
Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic in action
Whilst clearly talented, Simunovic endured a frustrating first season in Scotland. Injuries limited Simunovic to just 18 appearances in all competitions last season, and his situation hasn’t been helped by recent defensive arrivals.
First, Erik Sviatchenko was brought in back in January, before new manager Brendan Rodgers moved to sign Kolo Toure, having worked with the veteran centre back at Liverpool.
That left Simunovic as third-choice centre back for a while, but he’s recently broken back into the Celtic side, and has impressed many with his performances – and those displays appear to have attracted interest.
Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic in action with Rangers’ Barrie McKay
The Daily Mail recently claimed that Crystal Palace and Newcastle United are both interested in signing Simunovic during the January transfer window as they look to take the Croatian to England.
Now, Simunovic has been asked about the interest – and it doesn’t seem that he’ll be moving on in January. The centre back told The Scottish Sun he has no problem with teams wanting to sign him, but now is not the time to leave as he wants to show Celtic fans what he can do.
Simunovic added that he is enjoying life under Rodgers, and it doesn’t matter whether Celtic accept a bid or not, he isn’t leaving in the New Year.
Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic in action with Rangers’ Jason Holt
“I don’t think so,” said Simunovic when asked about a January move. “I know some clubs are still asking about me, and I don’t have a problem with that. But it’s not time for me to be leaving. I still haven’t shown everything to the Celtic fans. Probably in the future my time will come for leaving, but it’s not that time now.”
“When I look back on what happened last August I’m happy I’m still here. I’m really enjoying it under this gaffer. Everything is fine for me. Do I hope the club says No if there’s an offer in January? It doesn’t matter what Celtic say, I want to stay. It’s my decision,” he added.
Simunovic’s comments suggest that Newcastle should look elsewhere if they intend to sign a new centre back in January, but given that Rafael Benitez already has Chancel Mbemba, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Grant Hanley at his disposal, the Magpies may survive without signing another central defender.
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