Rodgers thinks on throwing in the new Bhoys

BRENDAN Rodgers welcomed Filip Benkovic and Youssouf Mulumbu to Lennoxtown yesterday afternoon but will reserve judgement on whether they have a part to play against Rangers tomorrow.

Benkovic has joined on a season-long loan deal from Leicester City just after signing a £13million deal with the Premier League side, while midfielder Mulumbu was out of contract after leaving Kilmarnock at the end of last season.

Both players trained yesterday and are expected to join in with the squad again today before tomorrow’s game against Rangers.

“I’ll have a wee look at it,” said Rodgers.

“Filip has been playing and training but he’s literally just stepped out onto the training field with us.

“Youssouf has been training and looks great but I have to be fair to the players and where they’re at, at this stage.

“Their main aim is for the whole season. They’re both players who will really help the squad.

“Filip (above) is 6’4” and is dominant, a number one centre-half who can go and head it.

“With Youssouf, we saw last year he’s a very good player. And he still looks as fresh as ever.”

Meanwhile, Celtic will go back to Trondheim this season as they face Rosenborg, Red Bull Salzburg and Red Bull Leipzig in the Europa League group stages.

“It’s a tough draw with both Red Bull teams and also another trip back to play Rosenborg,” said the Celtic manager.

“It’s funny, I spoke to their captain out on the pitch after we played them and he said ‘congratulations, maybe see you next year.’

“But it’ll be a couple of months later.”