CELTIC have eight games between now and the 30th December.

Brendan Rodgers is going to have to make full use of his Celtic squad and it’s a major blow Dedryck Boyata has gone down with a hamstring injury during the Cup final on Sunday.

With the defender confirmed to be out for a least two weeks, Rodgers must look to his other defensive options.

Most Celtic fans would agree with Boyata being out the responsibility should fall to Kristoffer Ajer, however, while the Norwegian is well ahead of schedule the Motherwell game may be too soon for him.

This leaves either Jozo Simunovic or Jack Hendry to fill the Boyata void for now. If we go by what Brendan did in the cup final then Jozo is likely to come in for Dedryck.

Jozo has been at the club since 2015 and has had his ups and downs since making the move to Parkhead.

Injury problems have been a big issue for the Croatian. However, there was a 6 month period when he was seen as our best defender.

The defender gave off a formidable vibe and his tackle against Kenny Miller has gone down in Celtic folklore.

However, last season, Jozo fell away and Boyata emerged as Celtic’s best defender. So when Benkovic came in this summer on-loan there was only going to be one man to partner him it wasn’t Jozo.

Boyata’s injury now gives the player a chance to stake his claim for a regular spot and make Rodgers think twice about needing a new centre-back if Boyata leaves in January or the summer.

It’s easy to forget Jozo is only 24 and Brendan Rodgers was so high on him at one point he was signed up on a new four-year deal.

The Croatian’s contract runs until 2021, there is a player in there but he needs to stay fit and build his confidence once again – if he doesn’t he could join the Celtic scrap heap.

 

1 COMMENT

  1. We start tonight,let us show them all we are one,lets do this tonight lets BOSS this game from kick off only wins do now and the players picked must must show everyone they are ready when called,lets do this do tonight…..

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