Filip Benkovic is confident that he will spend the full season at Celtic.
The defender joined the hoops on loan from Leicester City at the end of August and quickly made himself a fixture in Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Leicester do have an option to recall Benkovic during the January transfer window but it seems that all three parties are happy with the way that the move has worked out.
A massive offer for Harry Maguire could change the dynamics with Manchester United expected to renew their interest when the transfer window opens
“I really hope that I will stay here until the end of the season,” Benkovic told the Evening Times. “The other coach (Claude Puel) has said the same thing.
“It’s not a decision for me, but he has said I can stay here and that’s good for me. I think staying here for a year will make me improve as a player.”
Looking at the benefits of his move he added: “Coming from the Croatian league to the English Premier League is a very big difference. I was only there for one month, but I saw that it was a big step up. I think this step, coming to Scotland, can make me better.
“It’s a similar style of football. I really hope to keep going like this. The least I can do is give 110 per cent for the coach, the team and the fans.”
Benkovic quickly established a great partnership with Dedryck Boyata with that duo playing together in all three of Celtic’s Europa League wins.
With Boyata on his way back from injury Rodgers could finish the year with his first choice central defensive pairing re-established.