Former Celtic favourite Filip Benkovic is not ruling out a return to the Scottish Premiership champions at some point in the future with the defender now in fine form for Eintracht Braunschweig.
What might have been for the Croatia international? Where would he be, right now, if he had not suffered that most ill-timed of injuries during the summer of 2019?
Benkovic, some four years ago, was hoping to force his way into the Leicester City picture after an impressive loan spell north of the border at Parkhead. He was feeling pretty good about his chances too; former Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers taking over at his parent club.
But once the £13 million signing from Dinamo Zagreb suffered an injury which scuppered his pre-season, Benkovic found himself slipping down the pecking order at the King Power Stadium.
“When (Rodgers) left for Leicester, in my mind it was good because I’m coming back probably at the end of the season and he knows me,” Benkovic recalls, speaking to Football Scotland.
“But, at the end of the season, I had this injury. I then came to pre-season injured, so that was my fault at the beginning. I came to pre-season not ready. And some of the other guys got a chance and took it.”
Will Filip Benkovic ever return to Celtic?
After a difficult time at Udinese, now-25-year-old Benkovic is rebuilding his career on loan at Eintracht Braunschweig in the German second tier.
The Glasgow Times reported back in January 2022 that Celtic were ‘on alert’ after hearing that the former fans’ favourite had been released by Leicester. And, when quizzed about a potential return to Parkhead at some point in the future, Benkovic did not entirely rule it out.
“Well, you never know in football,” he adds.
“I’ve watched a couple of (Celtic) games. I think the team is doing very well. They are playing very aggressive and attacking football. The atmosphere around the club and everything between the fans and the team is positive. (This) is very important to make a good result in the season.
“I’m hoping that they are going to win all three, the big three trophies. I’m going to watch it for sure and support it as always.”
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