On the back of injuries to Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong the last thing that Celtic fans wanted to hear was that Jozo Simunovic had torn a hamstring.
That news could put the defender out of Celtic’s remaining Champions League group matches and sends Brendan Rodgers back to square one in terms of finding a new central defence.
When you find out @SimunovicJozo could be out for 6 to 8 weeks with a hamstring injury ???? pic.twitter.com/1oZmSIDQld
— Dev (@_Devin67) October 3, 2017
Shocking and surprised I thought we where getting healthier
— Celtic Da (@DBestseventy2) October 3, 2017
When you hear that Jozo Simunovic has a hamstring injury pic.twitter.com/FxcBRdwoXr
— Sam (@SamuelACasey) October 3, 2017
@SimunovicJozo speedy recovery praying it’s not bad. Jozo is pivotal to @celticfc ambitions this season especially crunch games before xmas????
— COYBIGreen1888 (@CassarHouse) October 3, 2017
Love big Simunovic but he’s a big sicknote. Getting a bit ridiculous now
— Paul Sutherland (@PaulSuth) October 3, 2017
Simunovic is made of paper – another CH is essential in January
— Pol MacFhionnghaile (@mcginleybhoy) October 3, 2017
Against Sevco and Anderlecht there were signs that the Simunovic/Dedryck Boyata partnership could develop into something meaningful but it looks like Rodgers will now have to move on to try out yet another central defensive partnership.
Since the start of the season Celtic’s central defence has been dogged by injury problems with all three experienced options suffering spells on the sidelines.
Boyata made his first competitive appearance of the season in the League Cup tie at Dundee while Erik Sviatchenko hasn’t featured since being injured in the Champions League qualifier away to Rosenborg.
Kristoffer Ajer, Mikael Lustig and Nir Bitton have all played in central defence but without Simunovic Celtic’s resources will be stretched as they attempt to kick on in the Champions League from last week’s win over Anderlecht.