BRENDAN RODGERS has admitted “Celtic would be a great move” for Filip Benkovic.
The Croatian central defender will be loaned out again this month after returning to Leicester City early from Cardiff City, as CQN reported yesterday.
Benkovic, 23, became a Hoops fans’ favourite during his temporary transfer in season 2017/18 when he was brought to Parkhead by Rodgers.
The pair caught up again at the King Power Stadium when the Irishman quit the Hoops in February 2019, but the smooth back-four operator has been unable to hold down a permanent place in the first team.
Last season he was at Bristol City before his switch to the Welsh outfit in the summer, but after only one fleeting substitute’s appearance he was recalled to the Midlands team.
Benkovic has already been linked with a return to Parkhead with Neil lennon seeking defensive cover after Christopher Jullien was ruled out for practically the entire season after sustaining a nasty knee injury following a collision with a post in the 3-0 win over Dundee United last week.
Speaking about suggestions the player may be considered for a comeback in Glasgow, Rodgers, in a report in the Daily Record, said: “It’s certainly a possibility. It’s a huge club and he did very well there. We haven’t had any contact, but he’s back now and we will see what happens.
“Celtic would be a great move for him. He’s at the age where he really needs to be playing and that didn’t quite materialise at Cardiff.
“I would never blame another manager for not playing someone because circumstances can change all the time, but unfortunately it didn’t work out.
“It’s quite simple, really. It’s now a case of finding somewhere where he can go next and get some game time.”
