PAT BONNER believes Celtic have taken a “bit of a gamble” in signing Jozo Simunovic to replace Virgil van Dijk. The Croatian was recruited from Dinamo Zagreb on the final day of the transfer window for a fee in the region of £5m and could make his debut against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday following van Dijk’s departure for Southampton.

Bonner understands why the Dutchman had to move on after Celtic failed to qualify for the Champions League but wondered whether Simunovic was ready to fill van Dijk’s boots after only setting foot in Scotland this week.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how Jozo Simunovic fits in,” said Bonner, speaking in his role as a Ladbrokes football ambassador. “He’s young and has a big, big price tag on his head for a 21-year-old defender so Celtic need him to be able to replace Virgil van Dijk.

“Virgil had to go, and he had to go when he did, as he wouldn’t have been happy to be hanging around after Celtic missed out on the Champions League. He made the right decision for him and Celtic got good money but the new guy has to work out.

“He’s only going to arrive this week and there’s a worry the Aberdeen game will come too soon. He has a good reputation and they obviously believe in him to have spent that money on him.

“Finding the right people within the budget is the big issue in Scotland though and while it is a wee bit of a gamble I’m not sure there were many alternatives. There aren’t many who are ready in Scotland and it’s difficult to get someone from England without paying huge money.

“It’s a gamble considering the fee and the fact he’s coming from Dynamo Zagreb in the Croatian league and you never know how someone will settle, but he’s young and if he fits in and does well I guess they are thinking they’ll get their money back on him eventually.”

Bonner had previously dismissed talk of Aberdeen as potential title contenders but admitted he may have to revise his thoughts should Derek McInnes’ side beat Celtic this weekend, something they failed to do last year to their cost.

“I said as the start of the season that Aberdeen were not a real worry for Celtic in their defence of the league title,” added the former Celtic goalkeeper. “I might be forced to change my mind on that but I’ll delay doing so until after this weekend.

“The Dons have had a fantastic start but much will depend on this weekend as to whether or not they can mount a serious title challenge as they need to beat Celtic.

“They had a good run last year but with Hearts back in the mix it will be hard for them to repeat that. They have to continue beating all the other teams on a regular basis, as they have been doing so far, but they also have to beat Celtic to stand a chance – and they failed to do that last last year.

“Celtic won’t lose too many games but they face a big task at the moment in trying to see how the new defenders – Simunovic and Tyler Blackett who has arrived on loan from Manchester United – can fit into the team/ If Aberdeen are to do something now is absolutely the time to do it.

“It’s been well-documented that they will break a long-standing record with victory on Saturday but Celtic will not be interested in any Aberdeen records and will be focussed on getting a result.

“To be honest though, I can see it ending honours even at Pittodrie and a draw wouldn’t be a bad result for the Bhoys at present. It’s never easy going to Aberdeen but if Celtic get a positive result it could really spur them on.”