BENKOVIC TALKS UPDATE

CELTIC are in talks with Filip Benkovic to bring him back for a second loan spell at the champions.

The 23-year-old Croatian central defender is poised to agree another temporary transfer from Leicester City and ex-Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers admitted the switch would be “a great move”, as CQN reported during the week.

Benkovic was a success in his first stint at Parkhead in 2017/18 and he could answer an SOS from Neil Lennon who is desperately searching for reinforcements following the long-term knee injury to Christopher Jullien who could be ruled out for the remainder of a crucial campaign.

Shane Duffy has failed to impress since his loan arrival from Brighton and Nir Bitton’s defensive shortcomings were exposed with his frantic challenge on Alfredo Morelos that brought a red card and turned last week’s game at Ibrox on its head.

Benkovic has returned to the King Power outfit after only one substitute’s appearance from Cardiff City in the first half of the term.

Rodgers is keen for his player to get game-time and the smooth back-four operator could be afforded that at the champions.

Lennon, who last night returned from Dubai with the squad following their warm-weather training has already made contact with Leicester concerning the possibility of Benkovic joining up again in Glasgow, according to a report in Sky Sports News.

The cultured centre-half hasn’t figured much in Rogers’ plans at the Midlands outfit and was loaned to Bristol City last season.

Negotiations could be hastened this weekend as Lennon prepares his players for the rescheduled Premiership game against Hibs at Parkhead on Monday evening.