Kris Boyd has criticised Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic’s mentality.
Pundit Kris Boyd has told The Scottish Sun that he thinks Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic could be a concern for manager Brendan Rodgers – but not over his injuries, rather his mentality.
Celtic lost 3-0 at Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week, with Rodgers’ men turning in another disappointing defensive display, conceding three soft goals at the Allianz Arena.
The Bhoys were back to their dominant best in Scotland over the weekend, beating Hibernian 4-2 in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals to make it through to the final against Motherwell.
However, manager Rodgers will be concerned about his side’s defending against Champions League sides, having leaked eight goals in two games against Bayern and PSG.
Many fans want Celtic to bring in another central defender in January, and defender Jozo Simunovic is now coming under increasing scrutiny having missed the game against Bayern through injury.
The Croatian-born Bosnia international has been with Celtic for over two years now since signing from Dinamo Zagreb in September 2015, with the intention of him becoming a replacement for Virgil van Dijk.
However, Simunovic’s time with Celtic has been plagued by knocks and niggles, and whilst he has shown his talent, the 23-year-old’s stint with the Bhoys has been largely frustrated.
Now, pundit and ex-Rangers striker Kris Boyd has told The Scottish Sun that he thinks the defender’s mentality is the biggest question mark hanging over him, not his injuries, as he thinks the defender isn’t prepared to play against top opposition if he isn’t at 100%.
Boyd thinks that Simunovic has all the talent to become a top centre back, but he may not have the mentality to play at the top level, and believes that Rodgers may lose his patience with Simunovic having missed another big game last week.
“Jozo Simunovic is injured again but it’s not his latest hamstring niggle that Brendan Rodgers will be annoyed about,” said Boyd. “It’s the defender’s mentality that could be concerning the Celtic boss. Rodgers needs players he can rely on and trust right now with so many big games coming thick and fast. Unfortunately, Simunovic keeps letting him down. Rodgers badly needed the big Bosnian against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Just like he needed him for the vital Champions League play-off in Kazakhstan.”
“I just look at Simunovic with his recent history and see a player who isn’t willing to put himself out there unless he feels in tip-top condition. For Rodgers, that’s absolutely no use. This is a player who could go to the top. Simunovic is a talent all right, someone who could get a move to the next level. When you watch him play, or play against him like I have, there’s no doubt he’s got all the attributes needed.”
“He’s fine when it’s Dundee or Hibs or whoever, when he’s not going to be under huge pressure. I just wonder if he’s reluctant to put himself in a situation where he’s in danger of being really tested. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like he’ll be pretending to be hurt. I’m not saying that. But to me it’s as if he worries that he’ll be embarrassed by a Bayern Munich if he’s ten per cent short. And that’s not good enough for Rodgers. The Celtic boss has shown real faith in Simunovic by handing him a new contract but isn’t getting enough back in my eyes. It’s happened far too often for me and I can see a point coming soon when Rodgers loses his patience. Right now he needs men who are willing to go the extra mile for him,” he added.
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