It was a strange sight to see Josip Juranovic minus the Hoops and sporting the Union Berlin black away kit last night, as the former Celtic made an immediate impression on his new support with an assist for the winning goal in a 2-1 Bundesliga success for Union at Werder Bremen.
What isn’t such a strange sight these days however is former Celtic right backs plying their trade in Germany’s top flight. Juranovic got down to work for his new employer operating as a right sided wing-back and supplied the corner kick delivery for to the back post for Kevin Behren to head home the winning goal for Union.
That goal helped his new employer – who had come from behind to win the game by a goal – confirm their excellent Bundesliga form this season. Last night’s victory now sees them sit in second spot only three points behind Bayern Munich. Quite a way to make a first impression Jura!
And Juranovic now finds himself plying his trade in the German top flight alongside four other former Celtic right backs.
Cristian Gamboa now plays for VFL Bochum, alongside another former Celt Saidy Janko at the Ruhr club. Janko is on loan from Spanish side Real Valladolid and often used as a right sided attacker rather than a full back. Meanwhile Jonjoe Kenny, whom Jura will face up to in his next Union fixture, now plays for Hertha Berlin.
Kenny is earning his crust in the same league as the man he was brought in on a temporary basis from Everton to replace, Jeremie Frimpong, who was another to earn Celtic a few bob when he made his move to Bayer Leverkusen during the season which shall not be discussed.
Celtic is often sold as a stepping stone to the riches of the EPL, yet the Bundesliga seems a competition who keeps a watchful eye on Celtic and is arguably one of the most competitive leagues in European football.
As Celtic adopt the ‘aggressive and agile’ transfer market approach Ange Postecoglou prepared us all for, it would seem the Bundesliga as much as the EPL could be just as big a sell for players and their representatives when considering Glasgow as a career destination.
And if Celtic include the sell on fees we appear to routinely include in transfer negotiations, it could well mean further income in generated for the club as they look to incrementally improve the strength of the playing squad with each transfer window.
Frimpong in particular is likely to head to one of Europe’s elite clubs and Celtic will benefit financially from such a move, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona linked to the former Celt in recent times.
Niall J
