Celtic have two Croatian centre backs in Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic has told the Glasgow Evening Times that he talked up the club’s fans when telling Filip Benkovic to sign.
The Bhoys initially wanted to land Benkovic from Dinamo Zagreb in the beginning of 2017, but saw him make a big-money move to Leicester City this past summer instead.
Celtic may have thought that their hopes of signing Benkovic were over, but with a host of other centre backs at Leicester, including Harry Maguire, Benkovic was allowed to go out on loan.
Celtic swooped, bringing in Benkovic for the season back in August, and he has been a rock in the heart of the Bhoys defence, leaving fans to dream of a permanent deal.
That does seem like only a dream, but Benkovic has already become a fan favourite at Celtic, with his transition no doubt made easier by Simunovic’s presence.
The pair played together briefly at Dinamo Zagreb before reuniting at Celtic, with Benkovic telling of how they played alongside each other against Osijek, before featuring together against Aberdeen on Sunday.
Simunovic added that he spoke to Benkovic before his arrival, tempting him into a deal by telling him that the club’s fans are ‘amazing’ whilst talking up the size of the club.
“It is amazing for there to be two Croatian centre-halves together for Celtic,” said Simunovic. “Finally, after four years we again are reunited. We had one game at Dinamo Zagreb and it was a 0-0 away draw against the team Rangers played, Osijek. Sunday was our second game and it was really enjoyable. We could never have imagined that one day we’d play together for Celtic in a winning cup final. We are very lucky.”
“Filip signed for Leicester but then had a chance to join Celtic. We spoke and I told him the fans are amazing and it is a huge club,” he added.
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