Jozo Simunovic has spoken out about his Celtic exit.
The club declined to take up the 12 month option on his contract bringing to an end his five years at the club.
Peter Lawwell took over negotiations in 2015 to bring in a replacement for Virgil van Dijk but persistent knee injuries restricted Simunovic to just 70 SPFL appearances during his time at the club.
In August 2016 he flew to Italy to discuss a move to Torino but when it was downgraded to a loan Celtic called things off.
The cash squeeze on clubs at the moment clearly had an influence on Celtic’s decision but with his injury record it was always going to be touch and go whether his spell in Scotland would be extended.
Speaking to The Sun, Simunovic said:
It’s a bit weird as I was at Celtic for five years and was a good part of the success. My wish was to stay for one more year minimum, as we have a good chance to do something historic.
To win ten in a row would be a great achievement and I’d remember it for the rest of my life. Was I surprised to leave? I need to look at the whole situation in football right now and everything isn’t great with the pandemic.
It was the club’s decision and I need to accept it. They are looking at everything as a business. What can I do? Of course I can say I am angry and sad that I am not at Celtic for next season but I cannot change that. It’s the club’s decision and I need to respect it.
It won’t spoil the way I look back at my Celtic career. I am still very happy and proud. I have been a big, big part of Celtic and the success there for the last five years.
I also think of the boys who left last summer and the summer before. We have all played a big part in Celtic’s run to nine in a row and that will never change.
I cannot look back with bitterness because I had the chance to have five years at a great club. I loved every game I played for Celtic and I need to thank my team-mates, my coaches and especially the fans for their support.
At the age of 25 Simunovic should be entering the prime years of his career but with his injury record he’ll have to convince clubs of his fitness with pay-per-play likely to be part of any offer that he gets.
