FILIP BENKOVIC may have only played a couple of times for Celtic but the young Croatian’s loan deal looks inspired after the defender helped shut out Rosenborg on Thursday night.
The centre back looked at ease in the hot atmosphere or a European night at Celtic Park and was one of the real stars on the night.
Celtic won 1-0 after a late goal from Leigh Griffiths but the rearguard action from Benkovic and Boyata was the solid base on which Celtic built from
This has left fans drooling over the prospect of having the defender for the season with many joking that Celtic should throw money at Leicester so they can keep him full time.
During the game, the Croatian U21 made 84 passes and completes 82 of them and recovered the ball for the bhoys TEN times as he frustrated any sort of forward momentum Rosenborg attempted. He certainly looks the real deal.
Filip Benkovic, this evening in the Europa League:
97 touches
84 passes (82 completed ?)
7 aerial challenges won
4 interceptions
4 clearances
7.95/10 @WhoScored rating#CelticFC man of the match#lcfc #CELRBK #UEL pic.twitter.com/E1WUqZYpB3— Andy Bisnos (@AndyBisnosLCFC) September 20, 2018
Celtic go into the Kilmarnock game on Sunday with the player likely to start again.
It’s still very early in his Celtic career but if he can keep up performances like Thursday he will be a contender for player of the season.
These Celtic fans want him here for keeps!
Boyata will no doubt leave in January why can’t Leicester take him if he does & we just keep benkovic if only
— jaime aka (goat) (@jaimelawson08) September 21, 2018
Benkovic was outstanding last night, I wish we could keep him.
— paulmc67??????? (@jingscriven) September 21, 2018
Did Celtic not scout Benkovic when he was available at a price Celtic would pay?
— Fr Hiroshima Twinkie (@Redbhoy1888) September 21, 2018
A appreciation tweet for Flilip Benkovic.. he is absolutely quality ?
— Steo Kelly (@steokelly89) September 20, 2018
Unfortunately, Leicester signed the player for £12million and there’s no way they’ll give him up permanently. We can dream though.
Lunatics, after two games some fans are carried away already ,
These fans are entitled to their opinions and are excited. To accuse them of being carried away is very presumptions. Benkovic made passes forward, rather than sideways and backwards and he completes the vast majority of his passes. He reads the game well and is strong and fair in the tackle. What’s not to like?
Looks like we have a Gem,HH Filip Benkovic..Right in Aboot Them