ATLETICO MADRID and any other clubs reportedly interested in Josip Juranovic will be told they are WASTING their time.
The Spanish side have been linked with the 26-year-old Croatia international who is only 11 months into a five-year contract after joining from Legia Warsaw in a £2.5million switch last summer.
Juranovic, already a firm favourite with the Hoops followers, has repeatedly stated he is happy at Parkhead.
WANTED MAN…Celtic fans’ favourite Josip Juranovic who is attracting attention elsewhere.
The versatile performer has already enjoyed an impressive debut campaign at Ange Postecoglou’s revamped side with the club winning their tenth title in 11 years while he played in both full-back positions during the 2-1 triumph over Hibs in the Premier Sports League Cup on December 19.
That form has alerted several clubs – including Ateltico Madrid, according to a report in the Scottish Sun.
Boss Diego Simeone needs a right-back, with Juranovic’s national team-mate Sime Vrsaljko set to leave on a free to Olympiakos.
England international No.2 Kieran Trippier quit for Newcastle in the January transfer window to leave the La Liga club light in the wide right defensive spot.
Simeone has Swedish star Daniel Wass as cover for the position and is now looking elsewhere for reinforcements.
However, the Madrid manager – or anyone else, for that matter – will be given no encouragement from the Parkhead side who have no intention of parting with the key player.
THE CUP THAT CHEERS…Josip Juranovic joins two-goal Kyogo Furuhashi in celebrations after the 2-1 win over Hibs in the Premier Sports League Cup Final six days before Christmas.
Fees of around the £15million mark have already been reported as Juranovic’s current worth, but that is unlikely to concern the Hoops hierarchy who are backing Postecoglou to continue the club’s domination on the home front as well as making an impact in the Champions League.
Celtic have made it clear they will not entertain such unhelpful and unwanted intrusions for their players.
Juranovic scored six goals in 41 games and added stability to a backline that wobbled alrmingly the previous season when Jonjoe Kenny, who arrived on loan from Everton in January, the man in possession.
Now the duel between the Croat and Anthony Ralston for the jersey is a feature of the competition Postecoglou demands from his squad.
The Hoops restart pre-season training at Lennoxtown today, but Juranovic, who was involved in international games for his nation during the summer, will be excused attendance.
