After suffering a defeat in the Old Firm derby a few weeks ago, the international break came at exactly the right time for Celtic and Ange Postecoglou.
After a frantic transfer window, it has given the Hoops some time to rethink, re-energise and nail down the new manager’s tactics.
It has also served as an adjustment period for some of their new faces who haven’t been able to settle in as quickly as a player like Kyogo Furuhashi has.
Though, some other individuals, including Josip Juranovic, have been on international duty.
Juranovic got his first taste of life at Celtic in that defeat to Rangers but was playing out of position due to an injury to Greg Taylor.
He didn’t disappoint, however, and still looked promising in the final third.
The new signing is a right-back by trade and his performances over the course of the international break have demonstrated why Postecoglou needs to unleash him in that third of the pitch going forward.
Juranovic has been part of a Croatian backline who haven’t conceded in any of their three matches over the last few weeks but his best performance was arguably in the final clash on Tuesday.
His national team beat Slovenia 3-0 and although the defender didn’t play a role in any of the goals, his infectious attitude down the right caused the opposition huge problems.
The 26-year-old barely played in his own half at all. Instead, he collected the ball and drove forward to utilise one of his most dangerous weapons; crossing.
During the course of the game, Juranovic was relatively untested but he still prevailed in 100% of his defensive duels.
It was his attacking metrics that will have left his club manager drooling, though. The full-back registered three key passes and also produced three successful crosses from six attempts.
On top of that, Celtic’s number 88 was extremely comfortable in possession, something that will no doubt please Postecoglou. He completed 89% of his passes as Croatia wrapped up a routine victory in Split.
Anthony Ralston has been in excellent form this season with two unexpected goals to his name from defence. However, it surely won’t be long before he’s usurped again in the pecking order.
As Juranovic has shown over the last week or so, he is too good to play out of position.