CELTS ON NEW DEFENDER

JOHN KENNEDY has opened the door for Filip Benkovic’s return to Celtic.

The Hoops No.2 says they’re keen on a potential loan deal for the Leicester City centreback, who spent the 2018/19 campaign at Parkhead. Kennedy admits gaffer Neil Lennon wants defensive cover in at the start of the January transfer window due to Christopher Jullien facing three months out injured.

Shane Duffy- who is set to stay with Celtic for the remainder of the campaign - is out of form, while Nir Bitton is suspended for tomorrow night’s Premiership clash with Hibs.

Kennedy revealed Benkovic is a target and after being given the go-ahead by Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers last week, it’s likely that the Croat will be back in Glasgow.

When asked if signing the 23-year-old again was a possibility, Lennon’s number two said: “Yeah, Filip is one we know very well and with Christopher’s situation it puts us in a position where we’re probably lacking a bit of presence there and a bit of cover.

“So, it’s a position we’ll probably try to get a body in. Filip is one we know very well. He’s been here before, he knows the club, he knows ourselves - and he’s certainly one on our shortlist to look at in terms of moving forward.

“So, yeah, he’s one we’ll consider. Hopefully we’ll choose the right one and get that over the line.

“We want to do it as quickly as we can. It’s difficult because you go to the club first and they will have an opinion on it.

“Then the player might have a number of options and it’s a case of convincing them it’s the right move.

“We’ll move swiftly on it but within reason to make sure we’re making the right move for the right player.”