Manager demands Celtic 23-year-old to make public explanation

Wed 21 March 2018 17:45, UK

Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic has been asked to explain his decision to refuse an international call-up to Bosnia by manager Robert Prosinecki.

The 23-year-old, who had previously represented Croatia, decided to instead play for Bosina, as he was frustrated at his lack of call-ups from Croatia.

But when given the chance to represent Bosnia in the upcoming friendlies they have, he turned the possibility down, much to the chagrin of the Prosinecki.

“Jozo Simunovic called me last week and said he would not play for Bosnia,” he said, as quoted by the Daily Record.

“My response to him was not to tell me his reasons…tell the public of Bosnia why you don’t want to play for them.

“So far he has not and the matter is ended.”

Simunovi has had a season full of ups and downs for the Hoops, as he lost his place in the team following a 4-0 loss to Hearts in December not long after turning in a stand-out performance against Anderlecht in the Champions League group stages.

Football Insider verdict

This incident seems to sum up the bizarre year Simunovic has had. Firstly, he works very hard to change his international eligibility from Croatia to Bosnia – but now he doesn’t want to seem to play for Bosnia. The 23-year-old has had a very strange season for the Hoops, probably summed up in his last appearance which saw him sent-off for an elbow on Alfredo Morelos in the Old Firm derby…which the Hoops went to win 3-2 after his dismissal. His future in Glasgow may be in doubt after some performances and it seems that his chances of playing international football look to be over after this bizarre u-turn.