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Tosh McKinlay backs Jozo Simunovic to fill Virgil van Dijk void at Celtic

Jozo Simunovic will fill the void left by defender Virgil van Dijk at Celtic, according to Bhoys legend Tosh McKinlay.

Former Celtic ace Tosh McKinlay has backed new boy Jozo Simunovic to fill the void left by defender Virgil van Dijk with the Scottish champions.

The Dutch centre-back left Parkhead to join Premier League side Southampton on transfer deadline day, with Simunovic later recruited from Dinamo Zagreb.

Despite being some £6m cheaper than Van Dijk - who left for £11.5m - McKinlay is certain that the Croatia international will enjoy a seamless transition to life with the Glasgow side.

"Virgil wanted to go elsewhere and that's what happened, but with Jozo Simunovic coming in there is plenty at the club," McKinlay, who spent five years with the Scottish giants until 1999, told Herald Scotland.

"Here is a guy who has already played over 100 times for Dinamo Zagreb, has captained Croatia's Under-21s and already has great pedigree.

"I have seen a lot of footage of him, he's a fantastic footballer. So it will be seamless with him coming in and Van Dijk going. Certainly, from what I have seen, he can come in and do a fantastic job for Celtic. He is Rolls Royce material and he can certainly make a big impact in the Scottish game."

Ronny Deila's side sit top of the Scottish Premiership with 16 points from a possible 18 thus far.

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Jozo Simunovic of FC Dinamo Zagreb in action during the UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round 1st Leg match between FC Dinamo Zagreb and FC Molde at Maksimir stadium in Zagreb, Croatia on Tuesday, July 28, 2015. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Im
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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