Filip Benkovic comments on Brendan Rodgers wanting to sign him for 18 months

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Celtic were interested in signing Filip Benkovic long before his arrival.

Celtic defender Filip Benkovic has told The Scottish Sun that he knew of Brendan Rodgers’ interest in signing him long, long before he made the move to Glasgow.

Celtic were linked with a number of defenders over the summer as either options to strengthen Brendan Rodgers’ back line, or as potential replacements for contract rebel Dedryck Boyata.

In the end, Celtic kept hold of Boyata and added another centre back to their ranks, as they managed to land Croatian ace Benkovic on loan from Leicester City.

Benkovic, 21, came up through the Dinamo Zagreb ranks, and made nearly 100 appearances for the club before being snapped up by Leicester for a fee of around £13million (The Independent).

Leicester felt that they had enough cover in defence though having aslo signed Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans, as well as having Wes Morgan and Harry Maguire, with Benkovic seemingly signed in case Maguire moved on to Manchester United.

That deal didn’t go through, and Celtic pounced to land Benkovic on loan for the season, 18 months since The Scottish Sun first reported that Brendan Rodgers wanted to lure him from Croatia to Parkhead.

Benkovic has impressed alongside Boyata so far, and looks set for a huge future in the game, which seemingly won’t be with Celtic, as he is lined up for a big role at Leicester in the coming years.

Now, Benkovic has told The Scottish Sun that he did know that Celtic wanted him some time ago, and he was happy about their interest, meaning he wanted to sign when the call came about a loan move – and is pleased to have settled in well.

“I knew Celtic had been watching me for a while, and I was happy about that,” said Benkovic. “When this loan move was mentioned, I wanted to come. When a club as big as Celtic is interested in you it can only mean you are doing the right things.”

“Now I’m finally here I am so proud, and grateful to Celtic for giving me the chance to play here. I have settled in very well. The whole squad has accepted me and I am really happy to be here,” he added.