The centre-back nearly switched the Scottish Premiership for Serie A.
Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic in action
Davie Hay has admitted to the Evening Times that he was surprised to see that Celtic were willing to allow Jozo Simunovic to leave for Torino before the move fell through.
The 22-year-old was seemingly set to be one of the victims as Brendan Rodgers looked to trim his large squad during the final days of the window by being allowed to join the Italian club.
However, the move ultimately did not happen. And Hay has suggested that regardless of the reason why the move fell through – which appears to be disputed – Celtic should be thankful that the plug was pulled on the deal.
“The one thing that I was surprised about this week was that Celtic were prepared to allow Jozo Simunovic to go to the Serie A,” he told the Evening Times.
“I know the proposed move to Torino fell through at the last minute but I was a little taken aback at the fact they were willing to let him leave.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
“He is a player that I believe still has something to offer and in the games I saw him last season I thought he brought some composure to the backline.
“He has been injured for a long time now but he is coming back to fitness and he is a guy who will provide strong cover, or will even be up there challenging for a start.”
Though Simunovic’s time at Parkhead has been blighted by injury, his form when he has been fit suggests that he has the potential to be a very important player for the Hoops for many years to come.
And Rodgers appears to have now acknowledged that fact by including the Croatian in the club’s squad for the Champions League group-stages (via The Scottish Sun), and the Northern Irishman will surely be hoping that Simunovic now feels that he has a point to prove.
Hay is certainly backing the defender to show how big a mistake Celtic almost made.
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