TOM BOYD believes that Jozo Simunovic was targeted by Molde during their Europa League defeat at Celtic Park.

There were barely five minutes on the clock when the Croatian defender was forced to pull out of the game after a late tackle from Molde striker Tommy Hoiland, and Boyd believes that the 21-year-old was singled out for the tackle.

“I do think he was targeted for that,” said Boyd. “There had been a fair bit of talk in the papers and in the media in the build-up to the game about whether or not he would be fit enough to play.

“The tackle that injured him, if you watch it back again, is actually an awkward one and the player who goes in on him almost leads with the wrong foot. He seems keen to get that particular ankle.

“It was late and I do think that it was deliberate. There has been no secret that Celtic have struggled defensively this season but they have looked more assured when Jozo has been in there.

“Having him out of the game so early most certainly worked in Molde’s favour.”

Simunovic pulled out of international duty for his country this week with the same injury and Boyd believes that in itself can be good news for Celtic.

Speaking to TimesSport earlier this week, Ronny Deila had insisted that Simunovic had been granted permission to go off to team up with the Croatian under-21 side on the premise that he returned to Lennoxtown if the injury did not appear to be settling.

Croatian boss Nenad Gracan would not use Simunovic for the games against San Marino and Spain because he felt the player had not fully recovered from the ankle injury sustained in that game against Molde.

And while Boyd believes that Celtic are right to be frustrated, the fact that the player will not be pulling on his boots when he is not 100% fit can only be a positive.

“That is what Celtic would have wanted,” said Boyd. “It is obviously disappointing that the lad hasn’t been able to go in and get a run of games under his belt.

“It has been very stop-start with injury issues and he has been in and out of the team. But the fact that he now has a full week with no football to try and rest and gain the treatment that he needs then it can only enhance his return to fitness.

“The last thing Ronny would have wanted would have been for him to play if he was not quite right and then aggravate it even further. At least this way he gets the chance to rest it.”

Signed at the end of the transfer window for a significant £5.5 fee, Simunovic has so far failed to enjoy a consistent run in the team, a fact that has been as galling for his manager as it has been for him.

Deila has been forced to utilise 19 different back four combinations this season due to the nature of injury issues and it has been a major hindrance as the club has tried to establish some solidity.

While they have been able to steady the ship domestically, it has been a different story in the Europa League where Celtic are currently on the end of a nine-game winless streak in the tournament.

They can source some kind of redemption if they can overcome Ajax and Fenerbahce, although the portents do not look good. Celtic have won just two out of their last 12 Europa League games and there has been significant frustration at the failure to make headway in the competition this season.

And Boyd is well aware that the criticism can be fierce at Celtic at such times.

“It can be very harsh,” he said. “You have to know how to handle that and you have to meet it head on.

“There is no point in shying away from it.

“You have to trust in what you are doing and keep faith with it. The only way to silence people is to go out and do it on the park.

“You have to have trust in the ability of the players that you have got and in what you are trying to achieve.

“You can come through it and come out the other end but I don’t think there is any doubt that you need a thick skin to be a player or a manager with Celtic.”