Almost unnoticed, Celtic’s treble hopes received a significant boost at Dens Park when Filip Benkovic made his first appearance in seven weeks.
The on-loan defender replaced Kris Ajer in the 73rd minute of the 1-0 win and appeared to come through the match unscathed.
Without question Benkovic is Celtic’s best central defender, when he was playing alongside Dedryck Boyata during November the hoops produced their best form of the season with the back door closed allowing the creative players to flood forward.
At the weekend it seemed business as usual in the Celtic defence, Boyata missed the game due to a thigh strain while Kris Ajer had to be replaced due to a vision problem after getting smacked on the head by a wayward Kenny Miller shot.
John Hartson recognises what makes a top class defender with the return of Benkovic a big boost ahead of the Glasgow derby on March 31.
Writing in the Evening Times Hartson explained:
Having players back who have been out for a while always feels a little like getting new players in, I think.
Filip Benkovic has been an excellent addition this season to the backline and although he will go back to Leicester this summer, there are still potentially another ten games for him to play for Celtic.
Getting a little bit of game time at Dens Park will have helped him and he can really use the next fortnight to kick on now before the Rangers game.
While most of his team-mates fly off for international commitments Benkovic can step up his fitness at Lennoxtown preparing for a fixture that can deliver a decisive move in the title ‘race’.
Another victory for business over sport on the wayhttps://t.co/yu7SjpcBCm
— Joe McHugh (@videocelts) March 18, 2019