Rodgers says Benkovic may make Celtic return

BRENDAN RODGERS last night opened the door for Filip Benkovic to complete a return to Celtic.

The Leicester City defender was recalled from a loan spell at Cardiff City this week and it is understood that his parent club are keen to find him another temporary switch to gain some muchneeded pitch time.

Benkovic, 23, moved to Leicester in August 2018 for a reported £ 13million fee but he is yet to make a Premier League appearance for the club.

The Croatian spent a season on loan at Celtic in 2018 and was a popular figure amongst the Parkhead support after playing a key role in the Scottish champions’ historic treble treble campaign.

Neil Lennon is keen to add a central defender to his squad after the Parkhead club were rocked by the news that Frenchman Christopher Jullien could face months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Benkovic could be the ideal fit for a Celtic backline that has suffered a lack of consistency in recent months and former Parkhead manager Rodgers is open to helping his former team out.

“It’s certainly a possibility. It’s a huge club and he did very well there. We haven’t had any contact but he’s back now and we will see what happens,” he said.

“Celtic would be a great move for him. He’s at the age where he really needs to be playing and that didn’t quite materialise at Cardiff.

“I would never blame another manager for not playing someone because circumstances can change all the time but unfortunately it didn’t work out.

“It’s quite simple really, it’s now a case of finding somewhere where he can go next and get some game time.”

Any possible loan move would be completed with the view of Benkovic returning to Leicester to see out the remaining three- andahalf years on his current deal at the King Power Stadium.