In-demand Josip Juranovic is in pole position to be Croatia’s first pick at right-back in the 2022 World Cup Finals.
His mentor Goran Vucevic truly believes that is the case and that it’s all down to his outstanding first season at Celtic. It’s amongst a host of reasons why the Croat legend thinks his old charge is in the perfect place at Parkhead to keep lifting his status and reputation.
And ensure he keeps that top job come the World Cup in Qatar.Juranovic is yet to return from summer break having represented Croatia through the June Nations League programme and will link up with his Celtic team-mates for the pre-season trip to Austria next week.
However, despite his Lennoxtown absence, the 26-year-old has been a hot topic for discussions amongst supporters with interest growing in his talents. Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have been mentioned as keeping tabs on Juranovic with his stock rising around Europe. The player, though, seems perfectly happy at Parkhead and Vucevic says that is the ideal mindset going into this season.
Juranovic is going to be playing group stage football in the Champions League this autumn to further heighten his development and profile. After the group stages are over, the tantalising prospect of a place in Zlatko Dalic’s team at the World Cup is within his grasp.
Vucevic gave the Celt his big footballing break. Took a scouting trip seven years ago as Sporting Director at Hajduk Split to watch little fourth-division outfit Dubrava and immediately identify him as a future star.He knows the player, but he also knows the person. And believes Juranovic will have nothing on his mind other than starring again for boss Ange Postecoglou both domestically and at the top European level to ensure he gets a crack at the World stage in December.
Vucevic told Record Sport : “I have spoken many times about the strength of Josip’s character. He is a good guy and I believe he is thinking now exactly how he needs to think. “The World Cup is coming up soon in the next few months and, for him, it is very important that he is going to be playing football.
“I know that the national team coach is going to only import the players into his squad who are playing for their clubs. “For that reason, I’m sure that Josip is thinking that the most important thing above all else is to be playing matches in the coming season. Celtic is going to play in the Champions League and that is also an impressive opportunity. “Some things are important. Josip has now adapted to the Scottish league, he has adapted to Celtic, to everything around the situation.
“It is normal to be thinking good things in that scenario when everything is right. “At this moment in time, I think he is the first option, the first choice for Zlatko Dalic in the position.”
Although Anthony Ralston will offer stiff and talented competition, Juranovic looks the leading candidate to be first pick for Postecoglou when the Champions League comes around for Celtic. Ironically, he wasn’t even a right-back when Vucuvic spotted him. He was a midfielder with bags of talent on the ball. However, at the behest of Hadjuk coach Damir Buric who saw his potential in the full-back role, Juranovic was converted and has shone ever since. The former Legia Warsaw defender has grabbed the spot in the Croatia side and Vucevic says starring in the Champions League is merely a natural progression.
He explained: “Is Josip ready for the Champions League? That’s not even a debate. I say 100 per cent. "Josip plays regularly for the national team of Croatia and the experiences he has gained there are going to be very important. We have seen how he has progressed in the past year from then until now and I am sure he is ready to play in such important game
.“It is not easy to play minutes for the Croatian national team these days because everyone knows how many good players we have around the squad for all the positions on the pitch. There is a big competition for places, but I think Josip is the first option for Zlatko Dalic and that is a big compliment to how he is doing in his work and with Celtic.” Of course, there will come a day when, like all of the younger stars at Parkhead, the time may be right for Juranovic to step up again to a major European league.
Vucevic has been there. He knows the moment. Having impressed for Hajduk, he was signed by Johan Cryuff’s Barcelona 30 years ago. Breaking into the first-team proved a near-impossible mission with the three-foreigner rule and the likes of Luis Figo, Gheorghe Hagi, Ronald Koeman, Michael Laudrup, Romario and Hristo Stoichkov also at the Nou Camp.
Crucially, he didn’t get game time. Despite featuring regularly for the B Team, Vucevic got just two first-team La Liga outings in five years before returning to Split.
He knows the pitfalls and said: “I heard people speak about the rumours about Atletico Madrid. For sure, if a club like that wants to look at you or speak with you, it is always welcome to do it and to listen. But, as I have said, I think the most important thing for Josip right now is to be in the one place where he knows he is going to play big matches.
"And, from what I can see, that’s at Celtic.”
