Josip Juranovic had one eye on Pittodrie yesterday as Croatia prepared for their World Cup 3rd Place Play-off match against Morocco at the World Cup in Qatar. The right-back was well aware that his Celtic team-mates were back in Scottish Premiership action against Aberdeen and after the controversial, VAR-assisted home win at Ibrox on Thursday night the Croatian World Cup sensation was looking out for score-updates from Scotland.
“I saw that we won and now we are nine points ahead of Rangers!” Josip Juranovic said, as reported by Glasgow Times. News that a Callum McGregor strike with just a few minutes left to play won the three points for Celtic was just the start of a Perfect Day for the full-back.
Afterwards with his bronze World Cup medal secured after the 2-1 win for Croatia over Morocco, Juranovic, who missed the match through injury, dedicated the triumph to all his detractors.
First choice Croatian right & left wing-backs celebrate 3rd place finish @FIFAWorldCup
🍀 Josip Juranovic & Borna Sosa 🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/fsu0ygCNlL
— Celtic Curio (@Celticcurio) December 17, 2022
“This medal is for all those who didn’t believe in me, to whom I was a thorn in their side. Criticism like that motivates Lionel Messi too,” the Celtic full-back said. “I would like to thank my family, friends and my fiance’s family, who always cheered me on when it was difficult. This is one of the most beautiful moments in the world, I will be in Croatian history for the rest of my life, I don’t know how to describe how I feel.
“When you play with the players that Croatia have, you can only improve. I heard that Jurgen Klinsmann said that I was one of their players who he thought was a revelation at the World Cup – I thank him for his praise, but my team is responsible for that.
“When you play with guys like Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic, everything is simply easier in your life. I’ll enjoy this moment.”
So it was a good day all round for Josip Juranovic with both his club and country winning significant matches, one earning him a medal and the other taking him step closer to another one to add to his fast growing collection.
🇭🇷🥉 Congratulations to Josip Juranović & @HNS_CFF on their Third Place finish at the #FIFAWorldCup! 🙌#CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/9dgywW1NLB
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 17, 2022
