Neil Lennon hints at Celtic return of £13-million star

Neil Lennon has hinted at the return of the £13-million star to Celtic after failing to settle down at Leicester City under Brendan Rodgers.

Football is a weird sport. One day you are at the top, the next the very bottom. It is not some of the other sports where experience matters as much as skill. In football, you just get paid for what you bring to the table, your age does not matter. But where does that tie in with Celtic?

Well that was the case with Filip Benkovic. Once one of the most highly rated defenders in Croatia, Leicester City took the gamble of signing him from Dinamo Zagreb for £13-million when he was just 21 years old. It is safe to things have not worked out in England since then for the youngster.

A few weeks after signing with the former Premier League champions, he was sent out on loan to Celtic. And after a successful spell at Parkhead that saw him make 28 appearances for the Hoops, it was expected that this season, Benkovic would flourish at King Power Stadium under Brendan Rodgers – the man who had brought him to Celtic.

Things could not be further from the truth. He has managed to make just one appearance this season. As a result, another loan spell could be in his future and Celtic have been touted as a possible destination again.

When asked about a Benkovic return by The Scotsman, Lennon did not rule out the possibility without committing to anything:

"“I don’t know is the answer. I only worked with Filip for a short term, but I know he had a good impact here last season, so hopefully we’ll be looking to bring one or two in this week.”"

Celtic have been suffering through injuries this season. While Jullien and Ajer have formed a formidable partnership, Simunovic remains as fragile as ever. And Bitton is also out nursing his own injury at the moment. And with nine-in-a-row hanging in the balance, Celtic cannot afford risking running out of centre-backs. Thus, a return for Benkovic would not be the worst idea in the world. In fact, both club and player will benefit from a reunion.