Since Ange Postecoglou spoke out about refreshing his squad and selling popular players it has been almost assumed that Josip Juranovic would be on the move.
The full-back turned 27 earlier this season, plays regularly for a top international side and was subjected to some transfer speculation during the summer.
With Tony Ralston a very able deputy Juranovic seems to be the perfect candidate for Stage 2 of Postecoglou’s rebuild with only the identity of his successor still to be identified.
Last Wednesday Alistair Johnston came into the frame for that role, as fate would have it Juranovic and Johnston faced each other on Sunday as Croatia overcame Canada in the World Cup.
Not only were the two right-backs playing against each other, after the match they had a chat as Johnston revealed to the Daily Mail:
Josip is a really good player. I had a little chat with him after the game and he is a good lad,’ said Johnston.
He played an unbelievable game for Croatia and he’s quick, isn’t he? He is a solid player and it’s easy to see why Celtic fans love him.
He brought the Celtic situation up a little bit to me, but that’s a conversation I can hopefully have with him in a little more detail in the future. For now, I just wish him and Croatia all the best for the rest of the World Cup.
A win or draw against Belgium on Thursday will extent Juranovic’s stay at the World Cup, with Canada eliminated speculation will intensify over when Johnston will become a Celtic playerr.
CLICK HERE for Postecoglou discussing selling top players.