JOZO ŠIMUNOVIĆ has admitted that he hopes still hopes to sign a new deal at Celtic, despite the unknown nature of the Coronavirus pandemic and the effect that it will have on football. The Croatian defender was due to hold talks with the club about extending his deal that runs out next summer before football was postponed indefinitely due to the deadly virus.

Speaking to Celtic TV, the central defender has said that he’s not ready to leave Celtic but if he was to, he would have made some incredible memories that he’d never forget.

“I’ve had some great times in my football career and many of the best have been at Celtic.

“I will remember them for all of my life.

“There was the Invincible season — the second time I did that at a club.

“I was at Dinamo Zagreb when they made it ten in a row — so there is a good chance to do that with Celtic as well.

“The feeling was amazing when we won our first Treble. Then the second came, and a third, and we were on our way this season again.

“There have been so many great times I’ve had here and I want to continue. We need to see the situation with my contract as well. I am happy here and I want to stay, so we will see.”

Jozo fell out of favour with Brendan Rodgers last season before Neil Lennon arrived and involved the 25-year-old as Celtic sealed the Treble Treble. Šimunović got one of the goals on the day Celtic sealed 8-in-a-row at Pittodrie.

An operation ruled him out of the first half of the season but the Croatian returned and has become a mainstay in the Celtic defence as Neil Lennon’s side opened a huge 13 point gap over Rangers.

“Injuries are part of football and you need to deal with it.

“I started again after the New Year but unfortunately this virus stopped everything. We had a great start after the break and I’m just sorry football was stopped.

“But we were in great shape and form. Everything is positive for us as players and coaching staff.

“There is a chance of another Treble but there are games still to play.

“We need to deal with them when they arrive rather than talking about when the title comes.”

Šimunović was one of the Celtic team that returned to their homeland before lockdown restrictions were put in place. Although the defender said that he is in regular contact with the coaching staff to make sure that he is keeping fit.

“We are missing football, definitely. We are in touch with the coaching staff all the time and we are doing the programmes.

“The biggest happiness for us is the games and we’re not playing, so I am looking forward to getting back.”

It is unfortunate that as soon as Jozo gets a run of games under his belt this happens. He has shown signs of being a top player for Celtic but lapses in concentration – like Copenhagen at home highlight the areas of his game that he needs to improve on.

Neil Lennon is a big fan of Jozo and was intending to hold talks, hopefully the talks can resume when football returns. Whenever that is.

You can watch the full interview here:

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