Pat Bonner has slammed Jozo Simunovic’s dodgy defending as Celtic wake up with their Europa League hopes ended.
The former Dinamo Zagreb defender missed the group phase matches of the Europa League through injury but was pitched in for the closing stages of last week’s 1-1 draw in Copenhagen.
Simunovic’s inclusion in the starting XI last night was one of the main talking points with Kris Ajer sent over to play at right-back while Jeremie Frimpong watched from the bench.
During the first half Copenhagen’s limited threats came when they targeted Simunovic, six minutes into the second half that move paid off when he presented Santos with the opening goal.
From that moment the complexion of the tie changed, Celtic were chasing the game with the Danes too streetwise even after Odsonne Edouard equalised with a brilliantly executed penalty.
Watching the match for Radio Scotland Bonner said:
The first goal was key for me. Jozo Simunovic lets the ball bounce and run down the side of him when he should have been booting it into the stands. It’s a dreadful error and I’ve seen Simunovic make that mistake so many times.
That took the pressure off Copenhagen completely and they worked tirelessly so Celtic couldn’t get a grip of the game. The second half was a real calamity. Celtic got the penalty but then it’s mistake after mistake.
Neil Lennon will have to pick over the bones of that performance and get his side on course for domestic success with trips to St Johnstone and Livingston within a week.
