Opinion: £2.5m bargain will be missed by Celtic for a number of reasons

Celtic suffered an injury blow when Football Scotland reported that full-back Josip Juranovic is set to miss the majority of the rest of the season with an injury he picked up in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

The report disclosed that the Croatian international might not be back until the last game of the season against Motherwell and he is most likely out for the games against Ross County, Rangers, Hearts and possibly Dundee United.

The 26-year-old has been one of Celtic’s best players this season, after joining the club in the summer for what was reportedly a £2.5m fee from Legia Warsaw, a fee that looks to be a bargain when you consider just how well Juranovic has performed this season.

He will be missed over the next few weeks by Celtic for a number of reasons. For a start, there is his versatility. Even though he is naturally a right-back, Juranovic has also played at left-back this season, and has performed well for the Bhoys when playing in that unfamiliar role.

Juranovic’s penalty taking abilities will also be missed. He has a 100% record from the spot this season, having scored six out of six. You have to think that in his absence, Giorgos Giakoumakis will most likely be Celtic’s penalty kick taker.

Celtic do seem a much better side when Juranovic is in the team. The Hoops have a far better balance when he plays, which is no disrespect to his usual replacement Anthony Ralston, who has also had a good season but perhaps isn’t as consistent as Juranovic.

Hopefully the player is back sooner than expected, as Celtic’s chances of getting the points required to win the title will increase with Juranovic in the team. 

Celtic do have the players available to get the wins, but naturally it is always an advantage to have your best players available, and Juranovic has proved this season that he is one of Celtic’s best players.

Celtic have had to deal with a lot of injuries this season, you only have to look at how long David Turnbull and Kyogo were out of action for. Ange Postecoglou will no doubt take Juranovic’s absence in his stride, as football managers always do, but the full-back will undeniably be a miss when he is out of action.

Only time will tell when Juranovic makes his return to the Celtic side. But he should be proud of how he has performed in his first season in Glasgow, and it looks like he will be a key man for the club for the entirety of his time at Celtic Park.