Josip Juranovic opens up on Celtic exit as he expresses disappointment | OneFootball

Union Berlin right-back Josip Juranovic has expressed his sadness over the manner of his Celtic departure.

The Croatia international left the Scottish Premiership club during the January transfer window.

Juranovic spent 18 months with Celtic but knew his time was up when they signed Alistair Johnston.

The 27-year-old has since featured in five games across all competitions for the Bundesliga club.

The former Hoops star has weighed in with one goal and two assists.

“I had a really good relationship with the fans,” Juranovic told the Scottish Daily Mail.

“I really loved it. It was a tough time to move away, but that’s life.

“I was a little bit sad Celtic didn’t try to keep me as a player there. But that is football. You can’t know your future.

“To be honest I was a little bit surprised. I was playing in the World Cup and preparing for my next game.

“Some of my friends called me and said they’d signed a new full-back, what’s your opinion about that?

“I was just putting it to the side and concentrating on the World Cup, as it’s the biggest stage in football and I wanted to perform well.

In my mind I was thinking, we would have three full-backs and someone will be on the bench and someone in the stands with their family.

“I knew I would maybe not play two games in a row and maybe play the third one. I didn’t like some of that stuff – because of the national team.

“If you are not playing regularly for your club, you won’t get called up for the national team. That’s the main reason why I left.”

Juranovic was sold in a deal worth £10 million and both parties have benefited from the move.

He scored six goals in 53 games for Celtic and helped them win one Premiership title and two League Cups.

The former Legia Warsaw star played six games as Croatia finished third at the World Cup in Qatar.

Talks over an improved contract between him and the Hoops broke down, and Celtic opted to cash in on him.

His replacement has featured in seven nine games across all competitions for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

The Bhoys are ten points clear of closest challengers Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Juranovic will miss out on a winner’s medal if Celtic clinch the title. However, he could end up winning one at his new club.

Berlin are third in the German top flight after 22 games. There are three points between them and joint leaders Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.