Almost four years after joining Celtic Jozo Simunovic’s career may be kicking off under his third manager.
On Saturday, against Kilmarnock the defender was in the spotlight, heading an emotional winner on the day supporters came together to celebrate the life of Billy McNeill.
In his previous 62 SPFL appearances for Celtic the defender’s other claim to fame was a highly celebrated tackle on Kenny Miller that probably still makes the veteran striker still wince at the memory.
There has been some solid performances from Simunovic but also regular injury absences with his appearances on plastic pitches limited to just one.
Brendan Rodgers tried out various central defensive options, bringing Kolo Toure, Jack Hendry and Marvin Compper to the club but in the wake of his departure it seems that a door may be opening up for Simunovic.
“I am feeling very good, I always think that when a new manager comes it brings something new, something positive or some changes,” the 24-year-old told The Sun.
“The manager has brought that for me, personally, and for some of the other players here as well. I am playing consistently and that was the most important thing for me. Not just for me, every player wants the same thing.
“He doesn’t want to feel like he’s the fourth or fifth option. The manager has been good in speaking to everyone in the team. He did with me as well and we settled some things, how it should be, and the effect has been very good on me.
“I would say it’s a new beginning for me and I feel good. There are still important games before the end of the season and I am looking game-by-game, but I just want to go forward and keep going as I am at the moment.
“I believe that I can be better as a player and everything else. If you look in the past, I haven’t played as much but I have come back and I am playing well again.
“Even at some points, I feel as though I may be playing better than I did before, so I didn’t lose the time when I was out of the team and not playing for the side.
“When you are not in the team, it is a case of keep going and keep working. You have to be ready when the chance might come and that is what has happened with me.
“I want to stay in the team, but that will depend on my performances. I believe that I should have played at some points even before the new manager came into the club, but I couldn’t change that.
“Now that I am into the team, I have to keep going the right way.”
Injures have been a constant blight on Simunovic’s career, if he can come through the next four matches whoever is in charge of Celtic next season will inherit a partner for Kris Ajer in the critical European qualifiers.