Celtic have still a lot to do in the transfer market as we think that they would probably want to strengthen in two or three more areas. However, they have faced a battle in the transfer market to keep hold of their key players. Plenty of integral members of the first team have been linked with a move away at some point or the other.
Kieran Tierney recently went on to join Arsenal after the move stretched on for weeks. Another crucial player who was linked with a move away is Jozo Simunovic and reports mentioned that French outfit Lille are interested in him.
Around a week back, reports from the Scottish Sun emerged that the French outfit have a real interest in the Croatian defender. The Ligue 1 side have the means to make an improved bid as they received a lot of money from Nicolas Pepe’s sale to Arsenal.
Lennon On Simunovic
However, Lennon recently gave a positive update on the defender as he indicated that interest for Simunovic has disappeared. The manager said (Daily Record), ”There was interest in Jozo as well, but it dissipated, and I don’t want him to go. He is really good player. I didn’t realise how good Jozo was until I saw him playing and Kris is so consistent. The more they played together at the end of last season, the happier I was.”
Why is he essential for the Bhoys?
After the sale of Tierney, Celtic fans would be relieved that their star centre back will most likely stay at the club. The partnership of Ajer and Simunovic has so far kept £7m man Christopher Jullien on the bench who was signed from Ligue 1 outfit Toulouse this summer. That shows the quality of the two centre-halves, and as Lennon mentioned, the two needs to keep playing together.
Simunovic endured some tough times earlier on with injuries and form. But in the last year or so, he has come on his own and showed why the club spent in excess of £4m on him in 2015. The 25-year-old reads the game well and is physically strong and reliable in the air.
The defender is comfortable with the ball at his feet, and it is imperative for the club to not sanction deals anymore for first-team players in this window. The Hoops already need to add more depth in two or three positions. The club faithful and Lennon himself would be relieved that the interest for the Croatian defender has dwindled in the last few days.
