Celtic round-up: Simunovic targets start, Hendry defiant & McTominay to leave United?

Add as preferred source on Google

Simunovic targets start

Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic is targeting a return the starting lineup against Hibernian at the weekend.

Simunovic replaced Filip Benkovic against St. Johnstone before the international break, which was his first game back after a troublesome ankle injury sustained in August.

The defender is ready to provide competition at the back. He said as quoted by the club’s official website: “I see the Hibs game as a big opportunity for me to impress the manager and earn a regular place in the starting XI.

“I’m feeling fit. I felt fit coming into the last game and for sure, my fitness will be even better by the time the Hibs game comes around. Everything is up to the manager and what he decides.”

Simunovic must take his chance if handed one – Dedryck Boyata is a mainstay and Benkovic Kristoffer Ajer are both vying to be his partner.

Hendry defiant

Jack Hendry has opened up about his time at Celtic, stating that the last six months have been ‘the toughest of my career’.

Hendry joined Celtic from Dundee back in January of this year.

During his time at Parkhead he has taken a lot of criticism, with a number of supporters suggesting he isn’t good enough from what they have seen from him so far.

Clearly the player has become aware of all the negativity.

Speaking to the Evening Times, Hendry admitted: “It has been a tough time at club level for me personally but I always think that they make you stronger as a player and as a person.

“It has probably been the steepest learning curve of my career over the last six months. Every touch, every pass, every move gets analysed at Celtic so that is something that I have had to learn from. I need to embrace that.

“It is difficult. Sometimes you have to stay strong and it makes you a bigger and better person. It is not easy dealing with disappointments but that is when you have to stand tall.”

McTominay to leave Manchester United?

As reported by The Scotsman, Manchester United are ready to allow Scott McTominay to leave Old Trafford in January.

The midfielder, targeted by Aston Villa and Leeds United over the summer, has made a handful of appearances under Jose Mourinho since the Portuguese took over in May 2016.

It looks as though Mourinho is ready to let him go out on loan after some shaky performances recently, and Celtic may step in.

The Bhoys were reportedly interested in the summer, and Parkhead could be the perfect environment for McTominay.