Celtic’s best player by a country mile last night, in my opinion, was Jozo Simunovic.

The player shut down most things that came his way and was ever present throughout the game.

It can be very disruptive for a defender to lose his centre back partner very early on in a match, and even more disruptive when a central midfielder pops up beside you as his replacement – this was not a problem for Jozo.

In-fact, Jozo’s calming influence transferred to Nir Bitton who put in a productive shift in the unfamiliar position.

Since the towering defender’s transfer to Italy collapsed on deadline day last year, he has gone from strength to strength in a Celtic jersey, so much so when Scott Brown was to pass the armband to someone in the foreseeable future, it would have to go to Jozo!

Yes, I know, everybody will be screaming Kieran Tierney is next in line for that particular honour, but if the Croatian is still here, then he should take that mantle with a view to giving it to KT further down the line.

His presence in the side is unquestionable. Celtic are yet to concede a goal in four European games this season, and the player is a big reason why.

To think he was so close to Celtic Park exit door this time last year is unfathomable now. Going forward, he is our best defender, and it’s Boyata, Ajer and Sviatchenko fighting it out for the other place in defence.

Should Jozo be Celtic’s next captain? Have your say below!

9 COMMENTS

  1. Jozo, for me is quietly becing the most effective central defender we have had in years!
    He moght not be a Virgil Van Dijk but I would contest he has all the attributes to become a top defender. Quietly efficient and very solid and able to partner up with whoever is put along side him. And of course there is ‘that’ tackle….arguably one of the best tackles I have ever seen!
    A future captain…I would love to thibk he will stick around long enough to be in the mix

  2. Doesn’t matter to me who’s got the armband but maybe there’s an argument for transforming bitton to a central defensive role on last night’s performance it wasn’t all about Jose nir had a great game in his own right.

  3. Not for me im afraid.
    Kieran Tierney is made of real Celtic stuff.
    He has grown up and got Captain all over him. No harm to Jozo but its not even closr call with me.
    In time KT could be next Billy mc Neill..H H

  4. 100% agree, at least I think. The only other players who should even be considered in the next 3-4 years are Scott Sinclair and Stuart Armstrong (if he shows loyalty and sticks around).

    KT should eventually get the armband, but he’s still just a kid at present, and needs a bit of maturing before he takes his place as Celtic captain.

  5. I’m sorry but only KT for me. He’s young but when Brown will retire it’ll be young Kieran and Jozo or Armstrong as vice.

    • Got to agree that Scott’s workrate was exceptional notice in some papers he was rated low and ineffectual but he stopped dangerous attacks all night and has a great engine and will to help out in defense.

  6. Yes he was close to the door if you want to believe all the unconfirmed hype and rubbish that’s been printed. A lot of it coming from some of our own fans who for their own reasons didn’t like him and should have their heads examined. We have the same scenario with Eric Shiavchenko and Bitton, according to what blogs I see from some daft Celtic fans.

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