Simunovic: We need to believe in ourselves

Jozo Simunovic believes that if his Celtic teammates give 100 per cent against Ajax on Thursday they can beat the Dutch side.

It’s a must win game for Ronny Deila’s side, the first four Europa League games have been a huge disappointment for the Celtic Park fans. Surprise package Molde top the group with 10 points, five ahead of Fenerebahçe and seven in front of Ajax. The 21-year-old acknowledges the importance of the fixture when he spoke to the Celtic View.

As quoted by Celtic’s official website he said:

Thursday is a very important game and I only want to say one thing – we need to believe in ourselves. If we do, we’ll win that game.

The Zagreb-born defender has played three times in the Scottish Premier League since signing for £3.5 million. He featured in the previous meeting between the two sides, were the Hoops were forced to play with 10 men in a 2-2 draw in the Amsterdam Arena.

Simunovic impressed fans on his debut, but spent a month on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury in training. Since his return to the side, he hasn’t looked out of place.

Celtic must win their final two games against Ajax and Fenebahçe and hope Molde help out beating the two sides ahead of Celtic, to be within any chance of maintaining their place in Europe this season.

It’s a big game and Ajax are a good team, but I believe that everything is in our hands. If we’re right and 100 per cent in the game we can win.

The Croatian Under-21 international was a part of the Celtic team that kept their first clean sheet since October 25th when Celtic thrashed Dundee 5-0. After Saturday’s frustrating 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock, he believed there were some positives to take from the game.

I need to do that in every game whether it’s against Kilmarnock or Ajax. That’s why I’m on the pitch and play central-defence, the last man in the defence. It’s good for me and good for all of us.