Benkovic makes Celtic admission after joining Bristol City

Celtic failed to resign Filip Benkovic on a loan in the January transfer window as the £13-million Leicester City defender ended up joining Bristol City.

A central defender must have been pretty high on Neil Lennon’s wishlist in the recently concluded January transfer window. But unfortunately Celtic failed to bring in a new centre-back, as Ismaila Soro and Patryk Klimala remained their only signings.

Lennon has recently deployed a 3-5-2 formation after a number of his wingers have gone down with injuries. Yet Celtic’s depth in the centre of defence is not great either. Nir Bitton was recently injured while it feels like only a matter of time before Jozo Simunovic ends up hurting something or the other. Christopher Jullien and Kris Ajer have also played a huge amount of football this season and could do with some backup.

Instead, all three of the club’s fit centre-backs are currently playing in this new formation. And it would have certainly helped a lot if the board had decided to sign another one in January.

One man who was readily available is Filip Benkovic. The Croatian enjoyed a decent spell on loan at Celtic last season but had failed to make an impact since returning to Leicester City, making only one appearance. As a result, the door seemed open to a return to Parkhead but instead he ended up joining Bristol City on deadline day.

Benkovic though still holds Celtic in high esteem. Talking with Bristol City’s website, he said:

"“I had a really good season at Celtic and I really enjoyed it back there. It was really helpful because as a young player when you get the opportunity to play at a European level it gives you more experience and confidence and I’m really grateful for that.“My experience from last season I will try to improve more this season at City.”"

Judging by his comments, it is clear that the Croatian was open to a return to Celtic. And Leicester City would not have been opposed to it either seeing that they ended up sending him to Bristol City. Thus, in all probability it is the Hoops board who were not interested in a move for Benkovic.