Celtic pair Kristoffer Ajer and Filip Benkovic are yet to concede a goal when they have featured alongside each other.
One of the only issues that Brendan Rodgers has arguably struggled to address during his time as Celtic boss is the centre-back pairing, with injuries and poor form making it extremely difficult for the Northern Irishman to settle on a partnership.
The likes of Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata have proved difficult to rely on at times. And while the latter has shown some fantastic form this season, question marks seem to remain over his Parkhead future.
Although Filip Benkovic’s future hardly looks anymore secure given that he is only on loan until the end of the season, he appears to have been the option that has given Rodgers some real stability in recent weeks.
The Hoops have kept clean sheets in four of the five games that the Leicester City-owned ace has played and he is regularly receiving plaudits from the Celtic supporters who clearly see a lot of potential in the 21-year-old.
And perhaps the weekend win over Hearts in the League Cup semi-final hints that Rodgers has finally found the partnership that he can build his team around for the rest of the season.
Kristoffer Ajer made his long-awaited return after more than a month out of the side. It was the second time that Ajer has started alongside Benkovic – and it proved to be the second time that the pair have overseen Celtic keeping a clean sheet.
In truth, Hearts barely landed a punch at Murrayfield. And while Celtic’s attacking players obviously did the damage, the control that Ajer and Benkovic seemed to have was extremely encouraging.
Boyata is perhaps the best defender in the Hoops ranks when he is fit and on form, but there is clearly enormous potential in the partnership that Ajer and Benkovic appear to be forming – and that could be crucial over the coming months.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
