Josip Juranovic reckons Celtic might have done more to keep him - and that's left him feeling sad.
The Croatian full back was sold in the January window to Bundesliga title contenders Union Berlin in a deal that could rise to £10million. Juranovic says it was a wrench to leave because he had built up such a good relationship with the Celtic fans.
However, he felt he had no option to quit what he calls his 'one true love' because he didn't want to play second fiddle to Alistair Johnston who was brought in on a £3million deal. Juranovic was stunned when he heard Celtic were moving for the Canadian while on World Cup duty and that clinched for him.
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He said: “I had a really good relationship with the fans. I really loved it. It was a tough time to move way, 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 because 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 linked with top clubs in England such as Manchester United and Chelsea and Hoops fans were stunned when he opted for Union Berlin, despite the German outfit pushing for a Champions League place in the Bundesliga.
He said: “I didn’t think a lot about my situation because first I had the World Cup and I was concentrating fully on that. Then I was reading some news that I would be going to, I don’t know, Man United, Chelsea and so on. But we need to be realistic. This was the right move for me from my side. In my career I haven’t ever jumped two steps ahead. I am always going one step then one step, upgrading my career. I want to play football and that is the main reason why I am here
Juranovic insisted he had no hard feelings with Postecoglou and he admitted Celtic will always have a place in his heart.
He said: “I spoke with Ange one week before I moved. We always had an honest conversation between us. He is a good coach – a really good coach and I tried to keep him informed. My 18 months there was unbelievable. What can I say about Celtic? It’s one true love.”
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