JOSIP JURANOVIC has revealed it was his exploits for Celtic that paved the way for his heroics in France. Josip and his country went to Paris and beat a star studded French side on their own soil.
It was the first ever victory Croatia has owned over France and it’s a result that’s being wildly celebrated back in Croatia.
Josip was asked to play at left back on the night and he told Sport Klub, it was something he was happy to do and was well versed in after his season at Celtic.
He explained : “At Celtic, I played thirteen games at left-back because our left-back got injured. The coach asked me if I could play on the opposite side, and I answered in the affirmative because anything is possible for Croatia.
“Fatigue? I have two difficult months behind me because I was out of action for six and a half weeks due to a hamstring injury. I came to the roll call, did two workouts and was immediately on fire for ninety minutes and so on until the end. I’m very tired, but let’s move on.”
Speaking about the performance from the whole team on the night, Josip revealed Croatia played the perfect game to pick up the famous win. “It’s always easier when the whole team plays defence, Brekalo and Pašalić went down on their sides, in the second half Majer and Vlašić.
“In addition, when you have such three midfielders in front of you, then it is much easier to defend and defend.”
Celtic fans will be hoping Juranovic’s experience up against high calibre opposition will translate into the defender coming up big when Celtic enter the Champions League in September. The Hoops will have six massive games in the competition in the second half of the year and if we want to take anything from the experience, we have to play a few perfect games!
