It wasn’t the most spectacular or eye catching performance but there was a steely determination about the way Jozo Simunovic got through the 90 minutes against Sevco at Hampden.
Brendan Rodgers hasn’t hidden his admiration for Kolo Toure but the Irishman is totally ruthless when it comes to what is best for his team.
Toure was in the spotlight after his mistakes against Borussia Monchengladbach but without a better option to come in would have been in the starting XI at Hampden.
From the 13th minute when Barrie Mackay flung himself to the ground the spotlight was on Simunovic but in every aspect he came through the tests with flying colours.
There was only one spectacular incident but it summed up the hopes that Celtic have for the defender- when he put his body in the line of fire to block a shot from Jason Holt.
That piece of bravery was matched by other less showy interceptions and a willingness to take the ball from Craig Gordon and play the ball out of defence.
Playing the game that way appeals greatly to Rodgers, as he showed with the signing of Dorus de Vries the Celtic boss expects all of his players to be comfortable with the ball at their feet.
The big tests for Simunovic will come in the next few months as the hoops face up to each of their Champions League opponents for the second time.
After losing 12 goals in the first three matches Rodgers will be looking for a significantly better return in the remaining fixtures.
Sevco won’t be the benchmark but if Simunovic can build on yesterday’s performance it looks like Celtic could be about to discover the dominating defender that was portrayed 14 months ago when he signed up from Dinamo Zagreb.
CLICK HERE for Sutton tears Warbo’s excuses apart.
CLICK HERE for summer signing pictured at Hampden
CLICK HERE for the bizarre Sevco comfort blanket.
