John Kennedy has told Torino to forget about making another bid for John Kennedy.
In August the Celtic defender flew out to Italy to discuss terms with the Italian side but the deal broke down over fitness concerns.
Torino wanted to switch from a permanent deal to a loan in order to monitor the players fitness with a permanent deal triggered as soon as the defender made a first team appearance.
Celtic kicked that offer into touch and won;t be entertaining any approaches in January for the defender whose partnership with Erik Sviatchenko looks like being a key feature of Brendan Rodgers’ plans.
Simunovic has still to achieve full fitness- he rarely plays twice in a week- but with the former Dinamo Zagreb man developing game by game he won’t be heading to Italy next month.
“We want to keep Jozo here,” the Daily Record reports Kennedy saying. “ It’s important. He’s a big player for us now and he’s shown that in the last couple of Champions League games. He’s a top player and we want to keep our best players.
“At the time of Torino’s interest, he was just on the way back (from injury). He had just started training and the option was there for him to go.
“He travelled across, spoke to them and, at that point in time, it was a decision for him to make if the clubs could agree.
“It never happened for one reason or another but he is back here and the most important thing is that he’s doing a great job for us, one that hopefully can last a long time.”
Kennedy added: “He’s a top centre-back. Even when we looked at him, away back when he was at Zagreb, he was the one everyone agreed was the best option.
“When you’re talking about bringing in quality, he is that. He’s one that you bring in to improve the team. He’s been terrific, a fantastic boy to work with. Great attitude, super professional.
“Everything he does is for his career and for the good of this club. He is in a good position at the moment so it is just about maintaining that for him. He had a long period out last year but he has certainly looked strong since he came back.”
Simunovic is likely to miss out on next Saturday’s match on the plastic pitch at Hamilton Accies with Rodgers to decide whether the 22-year-old can follow up Tuesday’s appearance against Hamilton by starting against Dundee on Saturday or Tuesday’s match against Partick Thistle.
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