Kris Commons urges Celtic to replace Jozo Simunovic if he leaves.
Kris Commons has told The Scotsman that it is imperative for Celtic’s Europa League hopes that Brendan Rodgers replaces Jozo Simunovic, if he also leaves the club this month.
Celtic have already lost one central defender after Erik Sviatchenko re-joined Midtjylland on loan until the end of the season yesterday.
Rodgers signed Marvin Compper for £1 million from RB Leipzig, but the Germany international in ineligible to play a part when the Hoops face Zenit St Petersburg in their last-32 Europa League tie.
Simunovic has been linked with a move away from Parkhead in the past week and selling him would mean that the Northern Irish manager only has Dedryck Boyata and Kristoffer Ajer available as recognised centre-back options to face the Russian giants.
Ajer, who started the 4-3 defeat away to Astana in August, has impressed in Celtic’s first XI over the past month, but former Hoops star Commons doesn’t fancy the 19-year-old to hold his own against Roberto Mancini’s side.
He told The Scotsman: “Erik has now gone, which has raised questions, Simunovic could go and is it worth playing a 19-year-old boy [Ajer] who was thrown into the game against Astana in Kazakhstan earlier in the season when they conceded four and it could have been ten?
“Brendan will be the first to say ‘This is what I need, this is what I’ve got.’ If he loses a player he will need someone. But spending money in this day and age, and I’m talking £20 million on a central defender, is difficult and he could still be bang average.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
