Jozo’s Instagram Q&A – Best moments for Celtic

Jozo Šimunović has taken part in an Instagram Q&A with Celtic supporters answering their questions as lockdown continues to frustrate football supporters. Big Jozo was signed from Dinamo Zagred in 2015 following Virgil Van Dijk’s departure from the club and despite the recurrence of injuries, Jozo has played over 120 times for Celtic.

Jozo was given the No.5 jersey when he signed and this time last year, Šimunović knew the weight of that jersey following the passing of Celtic legend, Billy McNeill. In the game following his death, it was a goal from Jozo in the 67th minute of the match the gave Celtic the win on an emotional day at Paradise.

Jozo was part of the unbeaten Zagreb team in the 2014-15 season and repeated the feat with Celtic but as part of an Invincible Treble. Šimunović cited this as his best feeling in a Celtic shirt.

Throughout their time at Celtic, Dedryck Boyata and Jozo were one of the prominent pairings used at centre back.  Šimunović selected him over his current Celtic teammates as the best he has played with in defence, choosing Boyata over Julien, Ajer, Benkovic and Bitton.

Celtic almost sold Šimunović to Italian side Torino in 2016, after just a year at the club but the deal fell through and an injured Jozo had to work his way into Brendan Rodgers’ plans. The Croatian worked hard and managed to force himself ahead of O’Connell, Sviatchenko and Kolo Toure but come the end of the season, Jozo was a first pick at centre-half. Aside from his goal vs Killie in 2019, the greatest moment that Šimunović has given the Celtic supporters was at Ibrox in 2017 when he almost sent Kenny Miller into orbit. It is one of the best things I have seen in a stadium, the only thing that is a shame is that we didn’t score from the subsequent counter attack.

Big Jozo also praised the Celtic support for taking to him and making his time so far in Glasgow pleasant. Šimunović has won four league titles, four league cups and three Scottish cups since arriving in Scotland, not a bad haul at all.

INVINCIBLE by Matt Corr

The Celtic Star’s very own Matt Corr – who you may also know as a Tour Guide at Celtic Park – publishes his first Celtic book, titled INVINCIBLE – early next month. This beautiful hardback book will be the definitive story of Celtic’s magical2016-17 season – it truly is wonderful, a real joy to read, and brilliantly written by Matt.

If you have been reading Matt’s regular contributions on The Celtic Star or indeed in the Matchday Programme or in the Celtic View you will know just how talented a Celtic writer he is. The book is published by The Celtic Star and you can pre-order below.

Support Celtic Youth Development

Help raise money for Celtic Youth Development by joining the £1 weekly lottery and you could win up to £25,000 – just click the photograph below to join. Lots of our readers have already done so and they’re now doing their bit to help fund Celtic Youth Development that can deliver the stars of tomorrow and beyond. And you might even win a few bob too! And a special thank you to all The Celtic Star readers who have already signed up and are now supporting youth development to give us the Celtic Stars of the future…

About Author

Born just as Celtic were stopping the Ten, Lubo98 follows Celtic home and away and helps run his local Celtic Supporters Club. He goes to all the games and is a Law Graduate. Has a particular fondness for Tom Rogic among the current Celts and both Lubo and Henrik form his earliest Celtic memories.

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