‘I was a little bit surprised’ Josip Juranovic Breaks Silence Over Celtic Exit

Former Celtic defender Josip Juranovic has admitted that he was ‘sad’ that the Hoops didn’t fight to keep him.

The 27-year-old departed the club during the January transfer window and headed to Germany to join Union Berlin.

There was plenty of speculation around his future but the Bundesliga side appear to be a good fit as they challenge Bayern Munich for the title.

Juranovic knew the writing was on the wall when Ange Postecoglou signed Canadian international Alistair Johnston who he went up against at the World Cup. 

His performances at the tournament made a host of clubs take interest including Manchester United where he always could have went to but instead made the £10 million switch to Bundesliga. 

Looking back and reflecting on the whole situation, he reckons that the Scottish champions should have did more to retain his services. 

“I had a really good relationship with the fans. I really loved it. It was a tough time to move away, but that’s life,” said Juranovic as quoted by [Football Scotland]. 

“I was a little bit sad Celtic didn’t try to keep me as a player there. But that is football. You can’t know your future.”

When the signing of Johnston was announced from MLS side CF Montreal, the former Legia Warsaw defender was earning praise for his standout performances at the World Cup which helped his team reach the semi final of the tournament.

He was taken aback when the news broke that Postecoglou had added a third right back to the squad. 

“To be honest I was a little bit surprised because I was playing in the World Cup and preparing for my next game.

“Some of my friends called me and said they’d signed a new full-back, what’s your opinion about that?

“I was just putting it to the side and concentrating on the World Cup, as it’s the biggest stage in football and I wanted to perform well.”

Johnston has been a fantastic fit for the club since making his debut in the derby match at the beginning of the year. He has seamless fitted into the Celtic squad and played a big part in the victory over Rangers in the final of the Viaplay Cup.