Not every Celtic supporter may be keen to see Neil Lennon offered the managers job on a permanent basis, but the 47-year-old from Lurgan may be key to the Hoops pulling off a transfer swoop the club simply cannot turn down.
Leicester City-owned defender Filip Benkovic enjoyed a great campaign in Green and White until he suffered an ankle injury at the start of the calendar year, which kept him on the sidelines while the Hoops romped to a 50th Scottish league title.
Chances of first-team minutes at the King Power Stadium are far from likely, though, as the Foxes have four senior centre-backs on hand in Harry Maguire, Wes Morgan, Jonny Evans, and Caglar Soyuncu.
As such, former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he would be open to Benkovic spending another campaign out on loan, and would prefer to see the 6 ft 3 ace return to Celtic Park, and bettingsites.ng are offering favourable odds on that happening.
“Filip’s situation is one I’ll certainly look at,” Rodgers said. “But there’s no doubt that if I want him to go out on loan again, I’d want him to go to Celtic.”
Benkovic, likewise, would be keen to return north of the border if he has no immediate future at Leicester, and the feeling is mutual with interim boss Lennon.
“I read the comments from Brendan Rodgers. At the moment I really do not know what will happen when my loan expires,” claimed the 21-year-old Croatian. “I’ve spoken to the Sports Director at Leicester, and he’s told me everyone at the club will soon sit down and decide what is best for me.
“When Brendan Rodgers left Celtic, he sent me a lot of nice words and told me he was very pleased with my performances. Whatever he decides, I will go along with.
“I have spoken to Neil Lennon [as well]. He told me that he would like me to stay at Celtic for another season.”
If both, Celtic’s former and interim managers, along with the player, are all keen to see Benkovic spend another season at Celtic Park, it is a situation the club cannot turn down as they chase a ninth-consecutive Premiership crown.
Proving the club’s ability to develop young talents into players capable of stamping their mark in some of Europe’s top leagues will also boost the image of Celtic in the eyes of the world’s elite when they assess where to send their next big thing.