John Kennedy issues injury update on Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic

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Jozo Simunovic missed Celtic’s trip to Kilmarnock at the weekend due to injury.

In comments reported by the Daily Record, John Kennedy has confirmed that Jozo Simunovic should be back in contention to feature in Celtic’s home game against Partick Thistle on Saturday after missing the defeat last weekend.

Simunovic was not included in the matchday squad for the Hoops’ trip to Kilmarnock on Saturday, which meant that Brendan Rodgers had no recognised centre-backs on the bench. And that was to prove costly with both Kristoffer Ajer and Dedryck Boyata coming off due to injury during the first half.

With Simunovic enduring an injury-plagued spell since arriving at Parkhead, some supporters may have been concerned about his absence, especially with the Europa League tie with Zenit just on the horizon. But Kennedy confirmed that Killie’s artificial pitch put the Hoops off risking the centre-back, and he should be fine for the weekend.

“Jozo missed the match at the weekend but he will be fine,” he said, as reported by the Record.

“We just didn’t risk him on the pitch there.”

While Simunovic has not been at his best very often this season, the news that he should be available for this weekend is undoubtedly a boost given the problems that Celtic endured at Rugby Park with Ajer and Boyata.

And Rodgers may be hoping that the 23-year-old strikes up a good partnership with January signing Jack Hendry as that appears to be the most obvious pairing that the manager will go with this weekend, and may end up being the partnership tasked with keeping Zenit quiet next Thursday.