Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic does not want to represent Bosnia & Herzegovina seemingly.
Speaking via The Record, Bosnia & Herzegovina boss Robert Prosinecki has told Celtic centre-back Jozo Simunovic to explain his decision regarding a change in international preference.
The Croatia-born defender had previously declared for Bosnia & Herzegovina but has since tried to make a u-turn on that decision, only to be told by FIFA that he cannot switch allegiances at this stage.
Simunovic, a former Croatia U-21 international, is yet to be capped by either country at senior level, but Prosinecki, a European Cup winner with Red Star Belgrade in 1991, has suggested via The Record that he will not ‘beg’ the Celtic star to play for him.
He said: “When we start begging someone to play for the national team, I find that impossible. I won’t do that. For me, the greatest honour in football is being invited to play for your country.
“Jozo Simunovic called me last week and said he would not play for Bosnia. My response to him was not to tell me his reasons…tell the public of Bosnia why you don’t want to play for them.
“So far he has not and the matter is ended.”
At the moment, the Bosnia & Herzegovina fans won’t be missing much if Simunovic refuses to play for them.
The Celtic stalwart, rated at £7 million, has been struggling for much of the calendar year and his red card in the Old Firm win over Rangers has done little to spark optimism that he can turn things around.
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