In one of the most embarrassing misjudgements made even by this blogger, the defensive partnership of Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata was tipped as one to watch develop, a ball-playing defensive rock, powerful and calm, and one capable of holding its own against Europe's elite clubs.
That was after our first season under Brendan Rodgers and I suspect that many Celtic fans felt something similar.
But within a few months, Brendan was warning Jozo that he had to cut out the mistakes if he wanted to retain his place in the team.
Jozo didn't and he was promptly dropped with Brendan preferring Dedryck, Kristoffer Ajer, Jack Hendry and even Marvin Compper, who increasingly looks like being a Gary Gillespie for the 21st century.
Through Belgium's World Cup exploits, another Compper injury and nerve-wracking recruitment, Jozo was given another chance against Alashkert - one that he blew in some style.
With Rosenborg looming after an otherwise excellent early-season performance, what defender wouldn't lunge in with his studs showing, above waist height, in the middle of the pitch during the first 15 minutes?
Answer: any one with an IQ in excess of his continental shoe size - that's who!
While many were understandably putting team loyalty and disappointment ahead of the evidence of their eyes, Brendan was in no mood to point the finger at anyone other than the true culprit - the former Celtic defender, Jozo Simunovic.
I say, "former", as Brendan would surely trust Steven Gerrard with a pass-back rather than risk Celtic's fortunes with another outing from a player who is now causing some to fondly recall Oliver Tebilly.
Where he may go is another matter - perhaps some club without access to television might fancy him as a make-weight in a transfer move. Frankly, I don't care as long as he never again plays a competitive match for Celtic.
Trying to make real progress in European football is a difficult enough task without the booby-traps of random Simunovic moments.
It's a serious business with profound implications for our immediate and medium-term future.
It's not a job for Bozos - or Jozo.
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Showing posts with label jozo Simunovic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jozo Simunovic. Show all posts
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Referee Bobby Madden is not just incompetent - he's dangerous and Celtic must act
Some might call him incompetent. Some might call him biased. Some might call him a cheat. Only referee Bobby Madden knows for sure.
But whatever else Madden may or may not be, today he was unquestionably dangerous. And that's where Celtic must draw the line and finally challenge the Scottish Football Association.
Over the past season-and-a-half, in particular, we have seen some disgraceful challenges in the
Scottish game, and Celtic players have suffered more than most.
Kieran Tierney has come in for particularly brutal treatment with fouls that could have caused career-ending injuries and a broken jaw in the Scottish Cup Final after what was nothing better than an assault by Jayden Stockley.
For that, players and their coaches are to blame in what is a damning indictment on the Scottish game.
Fans have been calling for Celtic to speak upas Pep Guardiola has done for his players in England – before someone has an injury that threatens their football career or worse.
This is, of course, where referees come in – in giving fouls and, just as importantly, the appropriate cards for actions that are dangerous, reckless or violent.
But they also have a duty to ensure that medical attention is required and act without hesitation in seeing that players are treated.
These men of highly-questionable ability and suspect willingness have the physical wellbeing of footballers in their hands and, in Scotland, are doing a horrendous job of carrying out their responsibilities.
And none are currently worse than Madden, who during the victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie, left Kristofer Ajer prostate on the turf and bleeding from a head wound in order to allow Aberdeen a crack at goal.
The fact that the clash was an accidental one with his own team-mate, Jozo Šimunović, is of no relevance. Madden's first duty was to stop the game to allow Ajer to be treated and, whether through crass stupidity or any other reasons, Madden chose to delay what could have been vital treatment to the player.
The SFA being what it is, the football authorities are unlikely to take the action that they should – suspend Madden until he has retrained in safety and issue a clear directive to all officials that player safety takes precedence over any other considerations.
Celtic fans still keep alive the memory of John Thomson, who lost his life after what appeared to be a glancing blow to the head in a match against Rangers in 1921.
Football has moved on in many ways but the risk of dangerous head injuries has not diminished. We should, however, have officials who are better educated and sufficiently professional to at least get the easiest decision of all correct – to stop play and call the doctor onto the field immediately when a player goes down after a blow to the head.
Madden is a truly appalling referee in several ways, something with which the football establishment seems comfortable.
But points and trophies lost mean nothing in comparison to the safety of players and, any referee incapable of recognising that should not be allowed to play games with the lives of players.
Celtic, as a club, must protest to the SFA and demand protection for all players in the Scottish game.
--
But whatever else Madden may or may not be, today he was unquestionably dangerous. And that's where Celtic must draw the line and finally challenge the Scottish Football Association.
Over the past season-and-a-half, in particular, we have seen some disgraceful challenges in the
 |
Kieran Tierney has come in for particularly brutal treatment with fouls that could have caused career-ending injuries and a broken jaw in the Scottish Cup Final after what was nothing better than an assault by Jayden Stockley.
For that, players and their coaches are to blame in what is a damning indictment on the Scottish game.
Fans have been calling for Celtic to speak upas Pep Guardiola has done for his players in England – before someone has an injury that threatens their football career or worse.
This is, of course, where referees come in – in giving fouls and, just as importantly, the appropriate cards for actions that are dangerous, reckless or violent.
But they also have a duty to ensure that medical attention is required and act without hesitation in seeing that players are treated.
These men of highly-questionable ability and suspect willingness have the physical wellbeing of footballers in their hands and, in Scotland, are doing a horrendous job of carrying out their responsibilities.
And none are currently worse than Madden, who during the victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie, left Kristofer Ajer prostate on the turf and bleeding from a head wound in order to allow Aberdeen a crack at goal.
The fact that the clash was an accidental one with his own team-mate, Jozo Šimunović, is of no relevance. Madden's first duty was to stop the game to allow Ajer to be treated and, whether through crass stupidity or any other reasons, Madden chose to delay what could have been vital treatment to the player.
The SFA being what it is, the football authorities are unlikely to take the action that they should – suspend Madden until he has retrained in safety and issue a clear directive to all officials that player safety takes precedence over any other considerations.
Celtic fans still keep alive the memory of John Thomson, who lost his life after what appeared to be a glancing blow to the head in a match against Rangers in 1921.
Football has moved on in many ways but the risk of dangerous head injuries has not diminished. We should, however, have officials who are better educated and sufficiently professional to at least get the easiest decision of all correct – to stop play and call the doctor onto the field immediately when a player goes down after a blow to the head.
Madden is a truly appalling referee in several ways, something with which the football establishment seems comfortable.
But points and trophies lost mean nothing in comparison to the safety of players and, any referee incapable of recognising that should not be allowed to play games with the lives of players.
Celtic, as a club, must protest to the SFA and demand protection for all players in the Scottish game.
--
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Time for Brendan Rodgers to Jack-in Jozo for Celtic
Last summer on this blog the partnership between Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Šimunović was being lauded in the way that only someone truly ill-informed could ever hope to do.
In fairness, both had shown their best qualities in the previous months and looked to have the making of a gifted and reliable pairing.
How footballers conspire to make writers look like they don't know what they are talking about (which is often true).
But if Boyata has exasperated this season,, looking every inch the “bomb-scare” defender that we saw under Ronny Deila, time is surely up for Jozo.
There were doubts about his defending under Ronny, with the player explaining that he had been carrying a knee injury that affected him psychologically. It was an unusual excuse but one that sounded plausible and most fans accepted it.
Some stellar performances last season saw the beginnings of a cult following. In fact, he was surely on the brink of having an embarrassingly bad song penned about him, to the tune of a 1990s girl-band hit.
Thankfully, for those of us who enjoy music and football, Jozo decided to head off that risk with performances that have left fans singing laments into their Bovrils.
But that's about the only thing to be thankful for.
Just a week ago, Brendan Rodgers said: “I’ve had a good chat with Jozo and reiterated to him that he will not achieve the levels I think he can get to if he’s not concentrated.
“It’s as simple as that. It doesn’t matter if it’s Partick, St Petersburg or St Johnstone – you have to be concentrated in your game.”
That seemed to be indicate that Jozo was drinking at the Last Chance Saloon, after a horrendous gaffe against Partick Thistle made a contest out of what should have been a routine tie.
But Jozo's performance against Zenit St Petersburg must surely have been the last straw. Celtic were poor in most areas against Zenit but when your central defenders are apparently so slow of thought that they give quality teams free headers in European competition, you have virtually no chance of progress.
And what's worse is the fact that Jozo doesn't learn and doesn't seem to care.
Last season, when Kolo Toure made two errors against Borussia Monchengladbach, he apologised clearly heartbroken at making mistakes which, in his own words, were to be expected of a teenager.
That was indicative of the kind of high standards Kolo set for himself in his career, making him into one of the top defenders in the game.
Jozo, on the other hand, shrugs ruefully and seems to sail on in the apparent belief that true love means accepting someone's infuriating flaws.
Well, Jozo, you might be a nice guy but no fans ever loved any player who continually ruins their ambitions.
Celtic are in an uncomfortable position with gaps in the defence caused by injuries and a lack of top-quality recruitment.
But the unavoidable fact is that, with Jozo in defence (and others who will be covered later) there can be no confidence that Celtic will win any big game.
We have Marvin Compper recovering from injury and it is to be hoped that a defender who has played successfully in the Bundesliga has mastered the fundamentals of marking, positioning and just not giving the ball to the opposition. However, it appears that he will need more time to recover.
That leaves Jack Hendry, who Brendan Rodgers is on record as saying he can turn into a top defender.
Hendry is young but hungry and is surely the man to throw in for the remaining months of the season.
He will make mistakes as all young players do but right now that is preferable to having someone who has thrown away so many opportunities for himself and for Celtic, with them.
Jozo-out – Jack-in!
--
In fairness, both had shown their best qualities in the previous months and looked to have the making of a gifted and reliable pairing.
How footballers conspire to make writers look like they don't know what they are talking about (which is often true).
 |
| "It must be here somewhere... Oh, look - it's in the net!" |
But if Boyata has exasperated this season,, looking every inch the “bomb-scare” defender that we saw under Ronny Deila, time is surely up for Jozo.
There were doubts about his defending under Ronny, with the player explaining that he had been carrying a knee injury that affected him psychologically. It was an unusual excuse but one that sounded plausible and most fans accepted it.
Some stellar performances last season saw the beginnings of a cult following. In fact, he was surely on the brink of having an embarrassingly bad song penned about him, to the tune of a 1990s girl-band hit.
Thankfully, for those of us who enjoy music and football, Jozo decided to head off that risk with performances that have left fans singing laments into their Bovrils.
But that's about the only thing to be thankful for.
Just a week ago, Brendan Rodgers said: “I’ve had a good chat with Jozo and reiterated to him that he will not achieve the levels I think he can get to if he’s not concentrated.
“It’s as simple as that. It doesn’t matter if it’s Partick, St Petersburg or St Johnstone – you have to be concentrated in your game.”
That seemed to be indicate that Jozo was drinking at the Last Chance Saloon, after a horrendous gaffe against Partick Thistle made a contest out of what should have been a routine tie.
But Jozo's performance against Zenit St Petersburg must surely have been the last straw. Celtic were poor in most areas against Zenit but when your central defenders are apparently so slow of thought that they give quality teams free headers in European competition, you have virtually no chance of progress.
And what's worse is the fact that Jozo doesn't learn and doesn't seem to care.
Last season, when Kolo Toure made two errors against Borussia Monchengladbach, he apologised clearly heartbroken at making mistakes which, in his own words, were to be expected of a teenager.
That was indicative of the kind of high standards Kolo set for himself in his career, making him into one of the top defenders in the game.
Jozo, on the other hand, shrugs ruefully and seems to sail on in the apparent belief that true love means accepting someone's infuriating flaws.
Well, Jozo, you might be a nice guy but no fans ever loved any player who continually ruins their ambitions.
Celtic are in an uncomfortable position with gaps in the defence caused by injuries and a lack of top-quality recruitment.
But the unavoidable fact is that, with Jozo in defence (and others who will be covered later) there can be no confidence that Celtic will win any big game.
That leaves Jack Hendry, who Brendan Rodgers is on record as saying he can turn into a top defender.
Hendry is young but hungry and is surely the man to throw in for the remaining months of the season.
He will make mistakes as all young players do but right now that is preferable to having someone who has thrown away so many opportunities for himself and for Celtic, with them.
Jozo-out – Jack-in!
--
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