Filip Benkovic to Celtic: Player on shortlist as club seeks defensive reinforcements

Celtic would be open to bringing Filip Benkovic back to Scotland as they ponder defensive reinforcements in the January transfer window.

Filip Benkovic is on Celtic's shortlist as they seek defensive reinforcements

Assistant bos John Kennedy confirmed today that the Hoops would discuss whether or not to attempt to bring the Leicester City centre-back in on a second loan deal.

The Croatian enjoyed a successful temporary spell in Glasgow during the 2018/19 season featuring under his current manager Brendan Rodgers, and his successor Neil Lennon.

Benkovic has only played once for the Foxes and had a loan stint at Bristol City last season before making just one appearance on a temporary spell at Cardiff City this term.

Rodgers is open to letting loan the 23-year-old head out on loan again, and Celtic are looking for new faces in defence with Christopher Jullien ruled out for several months with a knee injury.

Kennedy said: "It's probably a position now, with Christopher Jullien being injured, that we have to look at. We are a bit short in that area.

"Filip is one who we are very well aware of and have spoken about. We know what he is capable of, and he's a guy who has been here and knows what it's about.

"So he is certainly on a shortlist of options to strengthen the centre-back position."

However, while the club is keen to bring in reinforcements sooner rather than later, Kennedy admitted it wasn't always that straightforward.

He continued: "We want to try and get it done as quickly as possible but it has to be right for everybody. It's not always as easy as saying 'that's who we want' and we go and do it.

"There are other clubs involved, the player themselves involved. I'm sure Filip or anyone else will have other options. It's up to us if they are the right person for us, to try and convince them we are the right club for them too.

"But the squad is strong. If we can add bits of quality around that, great, if not then we just have to get the head down and take the rest of the season on."

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