Jeff Holmes/Getty Images Sport
Craig Gordon has seen many central defenders stand in front of him during his career so knows what talent looks like when he sees it.
Jozo Simunovic is the latest to join that list and the Celtic ‘keeper believes he can become a big-time player for the Hoops.
Virgil van Dijk and Jason Denayer were a formidable partnership last season for Celtic, conceding just 17 goals in the league. However, van Dijk moved to Southampton in the summer for 13 million and Denayer returned to his parent club Manchester City who sent him out on loan again to Galatasaray.
Celtic’s latest signing, Simunovic has impressed Gordon and the 32-year-old believes the Croatian will go on to big things in his career.
Simunovic hasn’t looked out of place so far for Celtic making six appearances, one that was cut short after picking up an injury after four minutes. He also injured his ankle in training after his debut and missed seven games.

Whilst fans have not seen him as much as they would have hoped, Gordon has seen plenty of the 21-year-old on the training ground and spoke very highly of him, as per the Scotsman.
I think Jozo’s a good player and a good signing. He’s so quick and you can see that when he gets back in to make some great recovery tackles.
It’s a great attribute for a defender. He has got everything and he’s still a young boy. In training, he looks a solid defender and can be a good player for us.
The former Scotland international goalkeeper also went as far to say he could replace Dutch centre-half van Dijk at Celtic.
I think he can effectively replace Virgil. You will never get another like Virgil, who could also stick a free-kick in the top corner. He was a bit of a one-off.
But Jozo can take the ball into the next third and play a pass and he’s quick, just as Virgil was for us.
He’s strong in the tackle and decent in the air and, over time, he could be a very big player for us.
I have watched Jozo Simunovic carefully in the few games he has yet played and I believe that he is a more composed and solid player than Van Dyke. At the moment he looks as good as Jason Denayer, but I believe that he will become a great player for us. It is already obvious, for those who look closely at players, that Jozo has had an extremely good influence on Dedryk Boyata, who is beginning to look more assured and now expressing himself. Perhaps Craig Gordon might even benefit from his influence.