Jozo Simunovic could make Celtic return

Celtic manager Ronny Deila reckons summer signing Jozo Simunovic could return for Thursday’s Europa League game against Molde.

The defender arrived at Celtic Park on deadline day but an ankle injury has so far restricted him to just one appearance for the Bhoys.

However, the 21-year-old did impress in that draw away at Ajax and Deila told the Scottish Sun he is confident the former Dinamo Zagreb player could make his latest comeback in the coming week’s trip to Norway.

Celtic lost Virgil van Dijk to Premier League outfit Southampton and Efe Ambrose is struggling with injury, so the return of a key defender would be a big boost to Deila’s side.

Speaking of Simunovic’s injury and potential return, the Celtic boss said: “He has a bone bruise, the same as Jason Denayer and Mikael Lustig had last year.

“Also it is different when you do it one time. Scott Brown who has done it about 50 times each ankle. I have been through that myself and it gets quicker to heal. But Simunovic will train tomorrow and it is a possibility he could be ready for Thursday.”

Celtic moved two points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table with Saturday’s 1-0 win away at Motherwell, thanks to a winning goal from Nadir Ciftci.

Now their attention turns to Thursday’s trip to face Molde in the Europa League, a game Celtic have been installed as the 2.5 favourites to win, while Molde are on offer at 2.88 to taste victory with the draw at 3.20.