‘Forced into Retirement at 30’- After Being Praised as a Player in a “different class” by teammates Celtic Flop is NOW Truly in a different class of OBLIVION

The Rise and Fall of Jozo Simunovic: A Cautionary Tale of Unfulfilled Potential

In the summer of 2015, Celtic FC made a significant splash in the transfer market by signing Jozo Simunovic, a highly touted young defender from Dinamo Zagreb. The Scottish giants paid a reported fee of £5.5m for the Croatian titan, who was just 21 years old at the time. Simunovic arrived at Parkhead with a reputation as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe, and many expected him to become a mainstay of the Celtic defense for years to come.

Former Hoops full-back Tosh McKinlay was among those who sang Simunovic’s praises, describing him as “Rolls Royce material” and “different class”. And indeed, Simunovic did show flashes of brilliance during his early days at Celtic. He made 36 appearances in the Scottish Premiership in his first two years with the club, helping Celtic to win the title in both campaigns.

However, Simunovic’s Celtic career was ultimately derailed by a staggering 12 injuries that kept him out of action for 132 games for club and country in all competitions. Despite his best efforts, Simunovic struggled to shake off the injury bug, and his consistent fitness issues meant that he ended his Celtic career with just 126 matches under his belt in five years.

In the summer of 2020, Celtic opted to release Simunovic from his contract, allowing him to leave the club on a free transfer. It was a disappointing end to what had promised to be a bright career at Parkhead, and Simunovic’s departure was met with a mix of sadness and frustration from Celtic fans.

So what happened to Jozo Simunovic after he left Celtic? The answer, it turns out, is not much. Simunovic spent a year out of the game before joining HNK Gorica in his home country, but he made just eight appearances for the club before being released in the summer of 2022. Since then, Simunovic has been without a club, and his playing career appears to be all but over.

But Simunovic is not giving up on football just yet. In April 2023, he revealed that he is studying sports management at university, and is doing his coaching badges in preparation for a career after his playing days are over. It’s a sensible move, given the uncertainty of his playing future, and Simunovic will hope to find a new role within the footballing world that allows him to stay involved in the game he loves.

As for Celtic, the club has moved on from Simunovic’s departure, signing new defenders like Auston Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers to bolster their backline. But the story of Jozo Simunovic serves as a cautionary tale of unfulfilled potential, a reminder that even the most promising young players can fall victim to injury and circumstance.

In the end, Simunovic’s Celtic career was a disappointment, a what-if scenario that will haunt fans for years to come. But as he embarks on a new chapter in his life, Simunovic will hope to find success in a different way, and prove that there is life after football.