Filip Benkovic is fit again for Celtic after nearly two months on the sidelines.
Speaking to The Glasgow Evening Times, John Hartson has heralded the return of Celtic loanee Filip Benkovic.
The Leicester City-owned centre-back made his first appearance in nearly two months in Sunday’s 1-0 win at Dundee – his first game under Celtic caretaker boss Neil Lennon.
Benkovic, a £13 million signing by the Foxes last summer [Sky Sports], had been injured since January.
It’s a timely return for the powerhouse, who looks like he’ll be available for the Old Firm visit of Rangers on March 31.
“Having players back who have been out for a while always feels a little like getting new players in, I think,” Hartson told The Glasgow Evening Times.
“Filip Benkovic has been an excellent addition this season to the backline and although he will go back to Leicester this summer, there are still potentially another ten games for him to play for Celtic. Getting a little bit of game time at Dens Park will have helped him and he can really use the next fortnight to kick on now before the Rangers game.”
Having Benkovic fit dramatically improves Celtic’s chances of beating Steven Gerrard’s side.
Kristoffer Ajer hasn’t done much wrong, but Benkovic is the better centre-back at this moment in time and a combination of him and Dedryck Boyata are more likely to keep Alfredo Morelos quiet later this month.
Fans of the Parkhead side would love him back on a long-term basis, beyond this summer, but it seems even more unlikely since former Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers took charge of Benkovic’s parent club last month.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
