Jozo Simunovic was the fall guy tonight as Celtic crashed out of the Europa League after losing 3-1 at home to Copenhagen.
The former Dinamo Zagreb defender had shown some worrying signs in the first half but six minutes after the break Santos put the Danes in front after another slip by Simunovic.
When the Celtic team was announced it seemed surprising that Simunovic was in the side, playing in central defence alongside Chris Jullien with Kris Ajer moved over to right-back.
It was the first time that that back-four had played together with fans looking into the dug out to see if Jeremie Frimpong was warming up or Leigh Griffiths coming on to change the formation.
Once Copenhagen got in front they dominated possession but Celtic got a lifeline in the 82nd minute when they were awarded a penalty.
Odsonne Edouard held his nerve to send the ball down the centre into the net but incredibly Copenhagen went in front 94 seconds later then rubbed further salt into wounds with a third goal.
Simunovic wasn’t the only culprit but the signs were there from the first half, if anyone was going to present Copenhagen with a goal most fans would have suspected Simunovic.
On Sunday Celtic play St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup, Frimpong looks a cert to start with the Ajer-Jullien central defensive partnership reunited.
Whether Edouard plays another European match for Celtic is debatable, going on recent experiences his transfer is already likely to be getting planned from the boardroom.
Reminds me of Juventus but instead of efe ambrose its jozo simunovic. Time to fucking sort this defence again
— Andrew Mulholland??? (@FUTAndy88) February 27, 2020
Terrible, Cluj in the qualifier all over again. Peter will sell up the top talent in the summer so we have had our best chance of a long European run gone, a favourable tie before, 1 foot in the next round with a home leg to go and we blew it. Simunovic to blame all over.
— Mike McV (@mmcveighbhoy7) February 27, 2020
announce simunovic released @CelticFC
— jack (@jackmcdonald__) February 27, 2020
Simunovic was horrific and is not good enough for Celtic and he’s injury prone.
— Andrew Bell (@dinghy1888) February 27, 2020
Simunovic should never kick a ball for Celtic again.
— Tim Malloy (@IrishBhoyTim) February 27, 2020
Embarrassing from Celtic. Looked nervous throughout, showed no signs of the side that excelled in the group stage. Simunovic will struggle to come back from this, Ajer as equally unimpressive. Lennon must be questioned as to why Griffiths never started or appeared earlier.
— Amy Canavan (@amyjcanavan) February 27, 2020
Embarrassing Scottish football in Europe again as per usual every one of they players are a disgrace simunovic shouldn’t play again
— Alan Cockburn (@alancockburn1) February 27, 2020
Lacking Ntcham or Christie
Playing a formation that didn’t suit us at home
Simunovic horrendous display
One change the full game
?????— C.olleen (@Al0homora_) February 27, 2020
Simunovic is an absolute bomb scare should be nowhere near the team . League and cup priority now tbf
— Michael McInnes (@mcinnez90) February 27, 2020
Tonight should mark the end of a few Celtic careers. Simunovic and Rogic for a start.
— Kerrydale Meltdown (@KerryFail) February 27, 2020
Lots of Celtic players didn’t turn up tonight. It’s a pity Simunovic and Ajer did.
— Frank W (@frawil66) February 27, 2020
Simunovic was a disgrace
Ajer is all hypeRogic – what the fuck was he doing ?????
— Chico (@c13cco) February 27, 2020
Celts defending was worst i’ve witnessed in a long time #Simunovic a bombscare Got back into it with a penalty then fall apart at the back again #Shocking!!
— BIG MAVERICK (@bigmaverick1) February 27, 2020