Filip Benkovic joined Celtic on loan from Leicester City in the summer transfer window.
Benkovic joined Scottish Premiership club Celtic on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side Leicester in the summer transfer window.
There is a chance that the Foxes could recall the 21-year-old central defender next month.
Simunovic – who joined Celtic from Dinamo Zagreb in the summer of 2015 for a transfer fee reported by The Daily Record to be worth £5 million – hopes that Benkovic remains at Celtic Park for the rest of the season.
Simunovic told The Glasgow Evening Times about Benkovic: “For both of us it would be very good if he stays. Of course, there will be some big challenges for him going forward, there is no doubt about it. He needs to be patient, but he is in the right [place].
“He is playing well and growing up well. This is the right step for him because it isn’t easy to play for Celtic.
“He is going to build his performances and confidence the longer he stays here. Even if he stays longer it will be better for him.”
Celtic stay
Simunovic and Benkovic have forged a strong partnership at the back for Celtic in recent weeks, and one can understand why the 24-year-old defender wants the youngster to stay at the Hoops beyond January.
Moreover, Celtic need to retain the services of Benkovic for the second half of the season if they are to win the Scottish Premiership.
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