Brendan Rodgers teases Celtic return for £13 million star

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Celtic’s public enemy number one Brendan Rodgers could actually do the club a huge favour this summer, by loaning Filip Benkovic to Parkhead again.

The 21-year-old defender – who was bought for £13 million (BBC Sport) – has impressed during his temporary stint with the Hoops this term, and many fans had been keen to see him stick around.

He sustained an injury, and then in February, the Croatian outlined his intentions to challenge for a starting berth at Leicester next term.

He told Sportske Novosti: “I want to make another step at the end of the season. I want to show that I can play in the English Premier League.”

But it looks as though Celtic may have Benkovic to call on after all.

Foxes boss Rodgers said, as quoted by The Daily Record: “Filip’s situation is one I’ll certainly look at. But there’s no doubt that if I want him to go out on loan again, I’d want him to go to Celtic.

“Of course, I’ll have a conversation with the player and I think he’s a big talent.”

TBR’s view

Rodgers is still loathed by a large number of Celtic fans for the way he exited the club in February, but allowing his old employers to have Benkovic back could cut him some slack.

Before his injury Benkovic had been a fine form alongside Dedryck Boyata.

He is back fit again now but has been unable to dislodge either Kristoffer Ajer or Jozo Simunovic from the starting XI.

It would be a major boost for the Hoops to get Benkovic back for next season even if only on loan, when it had looked certain he’d be a Leicester player.