As we watch the hands of the clock tick down closer and closer to the restart of domestic action and the Hoops trip to Pittodrie next Saturday, Josip Juranovic is still on international duty with his country having helped them reach the Semi-final of the 2022 World Cup. Josip and his teammates were unbelievable in their Quarter-final tie on Friday – knocking out favourites Brazil on penalties.
In truth, Croatia were good enough to have won the match in 90 minutes and then extra-time when it came. However, a piece of brilliance from Neymar prevented this from happening and Josip and co. had to take the long route to reach the last four. It was a phenomenal display from the minnows and Juranovic was different class throughout.
Talk has again turned to who will approach Celtic in the January transfer window and how much it would take for a defender who had Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior in his back pocket the full time the Brazilian forward was on the same pitch. It was not only his defensive work though, as Jura was bombing up the park like a man possessed and the 2002 World Cup winners had no answer for it.
Juranovic has been quizzed by the mainstream media about any potential move away following his impressive display in Qatar. But the respectful Croat full-back insisted he is only one-track minded currently, with a place in the World Cup Final come 18 December up for grabs. Zlatko Dalic’s men have to overcome the magical Lionel Messi and Argentina in order for this to happen and make it back-to-back final appearances.
“Honestly, I haven’t read what was written since we arrived, as reported by Daily Record. We’re just focused on the national team. I even told my agent not to send me anything, I’m not interested at all right now. I want to do something for myself, my future sons and daughters, I want to tell them the story of what we did and to be proud.
“I may not be a player worth 20-30 million Euros, but you must know one thing. I never gave up, even when I was in Hajduk and Dubrava, nor in Celtic, nor in Croatia. My parents taught me to look forward. Life tells strange stories, I stuck to my point that I needed to prove myself on the field.”
The former Legia Warsaw player insisted it is the team spirit and togetherness, combined with a sprinkling of genuine stardust that makes this current crop so resolute to play against. “The secret is that we are all a real family and we stick together, he said.
“We breathe for each other from the first minute to the last and that is the secret of our success, simply. Honestly, we shouldn’t be afraid of anyone and we should look at ourselves. We will look at the analysis with the coach and decide how and what to play.
“Luka, Marcelo and Mateo are the best Croatian midfield, I don’t know when it will happen again. Passing the ball to them is safer than your money in the bank, it’s easier when you play with them. I’m lucky enough to share a dressing room with such players and buy that knowledge, I’m very happy to be there. We want to make our people happy, to come home proud and with our heads held high. Argentinians also want that and we are such a small country with a big heart.”
The Bhoys’ defender also praised fellow countryman and rising star, Josko Gvardiol, tipping him to have a sparkling career in the game. The big centre-back played against Juranovic and Celtic in the UEFA Champions League group stage this year and is hotly-tipped to move to the English Premier League with numerous big clubs sniffing around him.
He said: “I had the opportunity to play against him for my club [in the Champions League]as well. I lost. As a person, Josko is a boy who enjoys every moment, he likes to be on the pitches and he enjoys being in the national team and hanging out with all of us. I expect that he will have a great career.”
Paul Gillespie
