Erik Sviatchenko has insisted that fellow Celtic centre back Jozo Simunovic has not suffered a ‘defeat’ with the breakdown of his planned move to Torino and expressed confidence that the Croatian will quickly put his transfer deadline day comings and goings behind him.
The Danish international has been able to empathise with his colleague because he went through a similar experience when a proposed move to Fulham fell through at the last minute.
“Everything was set and then the plug was pulled for some reason,” the 24-year-old explained.
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“It was difficult for me because I thought there was an agreement for me to go to Fulham, then in the last few hours it changes.
“You can be third on a list and the buying club doesn’t get numbers one and two. You then have to wait, wait and wait and it’s not easy.
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“The selling club also has to have time to find a replacement and if they can’t find that replacement then they’d be stupid to sell.
“That’s something that I’ve learned for myself over the years.”
That experience has encouraged him to adopt a philosophical outlook, recognising that it simply how football works.
“You have to accept decisions are made for a reason,” Sviatchenko observed.
“In this case Jozo is a quality player and it’s not a defeat for him as he’s still at a club where he can develop.
“You need to remember that he’s a young player too. Now he’s getting fit I’m pleased he’s getting back to shape.”
Simunovic yesterday felt compelled to issue a statement outlining his commitment to Celtic in apparently attempting to keep the club’s supporters on his side, but Sviatchenko suggested that the best way he can ensure that supporters stay behind him is by performing on the pitch.
“I wasn’t worried about the fans because I always play with 110% intensity,” he said.
“My move was done in good faith but when it happened that I stayed in Denmark I said to myself ‘Ok, then you have to win 9 or 10 out of 10 duels instead of 8’.”
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