Betfred in bumper cup boost

Benkovic: We need a Euro Leip of faith

FROM BACK PAGE against German big guns RB Leipzig who are just five points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

Although Celtic are huge underdogs going into their backyard, on-loan Leicester centre-back Benkovic is relishing the challenge ahead after his only other Hoops’ outing in Europe saw him get a clean sheet against Rosenborg.

And he’s called on Brendan Rodgers’ men to prove they are capable of fighting their way to another positive result.

He said: “European football is top for me and these games against teams like RB Leipzig are very special because their players are all international level and they are main players in their national teams.

“It’s a challenge for us to see where we are and to try and be competitive. We want to compete and to show that to everyone.

“They played very good football last year. Even Bayern Munich could not say this was a certain three points because of the level Leipzig have reached.

“But we can’t go there to just give up. We must fight for the entire 90 minutes and try to get some points.

“It can be our toughest game. But we have one clean sheet, why not another?” SCOTTISH clubs are set for a Betfred Cup cash boost after sponsors gave their backing to the competition until at least 2020.

The bookies agreed a one-year extension to their deal that was due up at the end of this season with the prize pot set to be boosted to record levels.

This season clubs will share a fund of £2.1million – with £1.6m coming from the SPFL and £500,000 shared from the BT Sport TV deal in a boost up from £1.8mthepreviouscampaign.

League chiefs will look at further bumping up the kitty as the competition goes from strength to strength.

SPFL chief Neil Doncaster said: “Betfred have fully embraced the new competition format since its inception in 2016 and we look forward to continuing our partnership until at least 2020.”

Betfred boss Fred Done said: “I feel the revamped Betfred Cup has been a tremendous success and I had no hesitation in agreeing an extension to the current deal.”