Brendan Rodgers discusses Celtic signing Leicester’s Filip Benkovic permanently

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Benkovic has impressed since joining Celtic on loan in the summer.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been quoted by the Scottish Sun as saying that the Hoops will look to sign Leicester City defender Filip Benkovic on a permanent basis – but admitted it may prove a difficult deal to pull off.

Benkovic, 21, joined Celtic towards the end of the transfer window after some intense speculation, despite only just joining Claude Puel’s Leicester in the summer from Dinamo Zagreb for £13million (Leicester Mercury).

The Croatian youth international has been a mainstay in Rodgers’ side since breaking into the team, making nine appearances for the club and even opening his account in the 5-0 Scottish Premiership win over Hearts.

Rodgers discussed Benkovic’s future with the defender expected to remain on loan at Celtic until the end of the season – though he does have a recall clause in his contract for January. If a permanent opportunity arose, Rodgers would take it.

“Filip is here on a loan period and Leicester have the opportunity to take him back in January,” Rodgers said. “He is really happy here and Leicester let us have him for a reason – which was to come and get game time and prepare him for the Premier League next season.

“The likelihood is that this is a very difficult deal but if there was an opportunity it was one we would look at for sure. He is big talent, but lots of these players from around Europe want to play in the Premier League.

“He is at a big club with Leicester bit has come to a very big club here to get experience and is loving every second of it. We will have to wait and see what transpires over the next couple of months.”

Benkovic was allowed to leave with Leicester boasting plenty of cover at centre-back in Harry Maguire, Wes Morgan, Jonny Evans, Caglar Soyuncu and Daniel Amartey.

The Croatian ace is set to start once again for Celtic on Saturday as Rodgers takes his side to Hamilton for a lunchtime kick-off as the Scottish Premiership restarts after the international break.

The Hoops will be looking to steal a march on their league rivals with a win, before preparing for a crucial Europa League clash away in Norway against Rosenborg.