Before Neil Lennon’s arrival as interim boss, most would’ve said that the only constant of Celtic’s centre half Jozo Simunovic’s career had been his injuries – signing for £5.5million back in 2015, the player has been stop/start. A stellar season under former manager Brendan Rodgers in the Invincible 2016-17 campaign where the Croat was a major part of a Celtic side who famously swept all before them domestically without tasting defeat, lead his stock to be at an all-time high.

Interest from down south and abroad highlighted how well the 24-year-old had acquitted himself in such a triumphant period for the Hoops and many expected the defender to carry on producing solid performances from the back in the following year.

What unfolded was of significant contrast; an injury ravaged start to the season off the field hampered his performances on the pitch. Defensive horror shows against PSG where in two games Celtic conceded a combined 12 goals, the 4-0 defeat away to a Hearts side who brought the curtain down on the infamous 69 game unbeaten run and the sending off against Rangers which put the eventual 3-2 win for the Celts in doubt were just a few examples of perhaps why the former Dinamo Zagreb stopper fell down the pecking order going in to the Irishman’s last season in charge of the Parkhead club.

So what has changed?

Sparsely used Simunovic would have been forgiven for thinking that the 2018/19 season could of potentially been his last under the now Leicester boss. The emergence of Kristoffer Ajer over the past two seasons alongside the loan signing of Filip Benkovic alongside the almost ever present Dedryck Boyata who started the majority of games in the previous term convinced most of the Celtic support that the number 5 was heading towards the exit doors.

Then much to everyone’s surprise, the well documented departure of the former Liverpool boss Rodgers paved the way for a fresh start under interim boss Neil Lennon. Loan players including Filip Benkovic were used sparingly, Dedryck Boyata sustained an injury in the 2-1 Glasgow derby victory that effectively spelt the end of his time at Celtic Park and it was almost if all the stars aligned at once for the once seemingly forgotten Celtic man.

Slight changes in the tactical philosophy under the new manager meant less passing around the back four which is something which suits the Croatian to a tee, a new found confidence coupled with surprising level of technical ability on the ball meant that instead of passing around the back four, Simunovic has started to bring the ball out of Celtic’s half more which suits Neil Lennon’s direct, purposeful  style of play. This even lead to a near wonder goal vs Aberdeen in the 3-0 Scottish Cup semi-final victory, where the lanky defender carried the ball from the edge of his own half manoeuvring his way past Scott Mckenna with a step-over before forcing Joe Lewis into an excellent save.

So does Simunovic have what it takes to become a mainstay in the Celtic side once again?

Absolutely! Statistically this is evident, in 2018-19 Jozo was involved in 30 games either as a starter or substitute and managed to keep clean sheets in 20 of those. Numerically that is an exceptional record, especially for someone who has contended with long periods out of the first team picture.

The centre-back also only accumulated two yellow cards in all competitions across the whole season and one red which came very early on in the Champions League qualifiers at the start of the campaign with the opposition being Yerevan based Alashkert FC meaning a fairly clean disciplinary record for the rejuvenated defensive operator.

If the defender can stay clear of frequent knocks, then he could prove to be an important asset for the Bhoys as they chase success from all angles on the domestic and European front. With defensive reinforcements imminent this can only prove to be a good thing as Simunovic will have to be at his consistent best to keep incoming defensive talent out of the side.

Sean Markus Clifford