Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic insisted that he couldn't have played on through the pain barrier during the 1-1 draw with Suduva on Thursday night.

The Croatian defender had a scan on his ankle and it remains to be seen how long he is sidelined for.

There was a hint from Brendan Rodgers after the game that the defender could have played on, something he rebuffed.

“When I landed I felt pain inside my ankle," he said.

“That was the reason I came out so we will see from the scan in the next couple of days what exactly is the problem.

“The disappointing thing was that I couldn’t continue in the game because it pulled and twisted.

“If I could have continued then I would have continued, for sure.”

Meanwhile, the defender has accepted that Celtic need to vastly improve at the back as the season goes on.

Rodgers was public with his criticism of his defence in the aftermath of the 1-1 draw, telling the players that they had to take greater pride in their performances.

“It’s very simple, we have to work on it," said Simunovic.

“I understand what the manager means when he talks about showing more pride. He can say what he thinks. Who am I to judge?

“But we have training sessions and have to correct some things in training.

“That’s where you put things right and then show that out on the pitch.

“But there is no excuse, we have to be better.

“It can’t happen that the opposition teams score from their only chance.

“But all the players in the team need to work more.

“We should be better next week. We have to create chances, it’s very simple.

“We can’t score if we don’t create, like if you don’t defend well you will concede. It’s very simple but I think generally we all need to be better.

“If you have to defend with only four players then it is hard.

“But if you defend all together then we can look better.

“The criticism just gives extra motivation to work more.”