Jozo Simunovic has been left out of the Celtic squad in Sweden for tonight’s Europa League Play Off against AIK.
The defender played in the first leg a week ago but before Sunday’s match with Hearts Neil Lennon explained that his absence was due to ‘an on-going knee issue’ that prevented him from playing three games in a week.
Simunovic has a horrendous injury record, since joining Celtic four years ago he has only started 65 SPFL matches, with his injury restricting Lennon’s options before two vital matches.
The Sun reports:
Celts are without Jozo Simunovic after he failed to travel to Sweden.
Simunovic was a first team regular in the final two months of last season and has played in all seven European matches this season while serving a domestic suspension after being sent off in a friendly against St Gallen.
Nir Bitton looks like continuing in central defence alongside Chrustopher Jullien tonight, leaving Kris Ajer at right-back.
Lille have been linked with an interest in signing Simunovic with the 25-year-old under contract for the next two seasons.
This will require strong negotiations, I’d imagine talks start at £3m, start.https://t.co/tuiNPmzWa8
— Joe McHugh (@videocelts) August 29, 2019