Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic has claimed that he can be the man to take charge at the heart of the defence after losing a number of key names at the back.
The Croatian made the huge claim after fellow centre-back Dedryck Boyata has been ruled out of action for up to three months with a ruptured knee ligament while Kolo Toure is reported by the Scottish Sun to have left the club after his contract expired.
It means that Brendan Rodgers’ senior options at the back are 22-year-old Simunovic and 25-year-old Erik Sviatchenko, while young defender Kristoffer Ajer could also step into the back four if needed.
However, the lack of experience in the heart of the defence is not something the Northern Irish man need be worried about according to Simunovic, as he states he is ready to step up to the plate and be a leader from the back.
He told the Scottish Sun: “I have always believed I have the ability to be the main defender for Celtic.
“From the first day I arrived at this club, that has been my aim. I never stopped believing that I can be the main guy for Celtic.
“I like the responsibility. When you play in my position, that’s what you need to accept. It’s full of it.”
Ahead of Friday’s Champions League qualifying clash with Linfield, the 22-year-old Croatian Under-21 international states that he cannot wait to be back playing in Europe’s top competition, having made two appearances last season.
He will be in line to help the Hoops reach the group stage this time around, having missed the qualifying stages due to ligament damage in his knee, Dedryck Boyata mirroring the Croatian’s injury plight this year.
Simunovic also hopes that playing in the Champions League will help him reach his international aspirations, having yet to be called up to the senior squad despite appearances for every youth level for his country.
“All I can think about right now is hearing the sound of the Champions League music at Celtic Park,” he told the Scottish Sun.
“We have a big two months coming up and the aim is to get to the group stages of the Champions League.
“I hope that playing well with Celtic can help me get into the Croatia squad.
“Last year was good for me and I believed last season that it could come. It didn’t come and for now, I am only focused on Celtic.”
Simunovic endured an injury plagued start to the season last year, but managed to go on to play in 33 games across all competitions, the majority coming in the starting XI.