Door open for ex-Celtic star to return to club in January transfer window

Celtic defender Filip Benkovic. Picture: SNS

The centre-half is back with Leicester City after his loan move to Cardiff City was cut short by his parent club after he appeared just once for the Welsh side.

Benkovic previously enjoyed a fruitful loan spell with the Parkhead side in the 2018/19 season, helping them to win their third successive domestic treble as he played 27 times in all competitions.

Manager Neil Lennon, who coached Benkovic for three months during the player’s spell in Scotland, has admitted the reigning Scottish Premiership champions are in the market for a new centre-back in the January transfer window after an injury to Christopher Jullien ruled the French defender out for four months.

Leicester boss Rodgers, who brought Benkovic to Celtic in the first place, says he’s not had any contact from his former employers, but was receptive to the idea of the player going back in order to gain regular first-team football.

When asked about any potential return for the Croatian, he said: “It's certainly a possibility. It's a huge club and he did very well there. We haven't had any contact but he's back now and we will see what happens.

“I would never blame another manager for not playing someone because circumstances can change all the time but unfortunately it didn't work out.

“It's quite simple really, it's now a case of finding somewhere where he can go next and get some game time.”

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