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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark McDougall

Jozo Simunovic next to leave Celtic as Jonny Hayes exit confirmed with glowing tribute to departing stars

Celtic have revealed Jozo Simunovic will leave the club in the summer after deciding against activating the option they have on his contract.

The Hoops could have extended his deal by one year but have decided to let him leave in the summer and he joins Jonny Hayes in moving on.

Hayes had revealed on Instagram on Friday night that he was leaving Celtic Park and the club have now confirmed it in a statement.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has praised both players for their attitudes and thanked them for their service after they played their part in clinching Nine-In-A-Row.

Jonny Hayes (REUTERS)

He said: "I would like to sincerely thank both Jozo and Jonny, brilliant lads who have given their all to Celtic over a number of years.

"Jozo has been part of our great club for some time and has given us some wonderful times, playing a really important part in our success. Jonny, too, has been an important player for the club in recent years.

"Above all, both are great men and everyone at Celtic wishes Jozo and Jonny and their families all the very best for the future. We are sure they will continue to be successful in everything they do.

"Both players leave Celtic as Nine-In-A-Row champions, something they have earned, an achievement they richly deserve and something I know they will cherish dearly."

Simunovic joined Celtic in 2015 for an undisclosed fee from Dinamo Zagreb and made 117 appearances for the club over his five years.

Injuries hampered his development but he was still a key player during his time in Glasgow.

Irish winger Hayes joined Celtic in 2017 and he played 61 times, scoring two goals. The most famous of those two was a later clincher against Rangers in September last year when he sealed a 2-0 win.

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