Benjamin Arthur has a bright future in the game ahead of him, Celtic should be looking to keep him around for longer and this could also help Brentford…
Benjamin Arthur has slowly bided his time in playing a part in Martin O’Neill’s first team plans, but has made his mark in a tough run of fixtures, and now looks all that more better for the experience.
Enjoy tea, biscuits and The Celtic Star – completely ad free…
Never see another Ad on The Celtic Star! Subscribe Now and get Seven Days for Free!
Granted, the on-loan Brentford man was only presented with the opportunity due to the suspension of Auston Trusty and injury to Dane Murray, but he’s stepped up to the task all the same, and impressed Martin O’Neill and Celtic supporters alike.
Big Ben looked calm and assured in his full debut in a tricky game at Pittodrie against Aberdeen, and although a little shaky at times in the pressure cooker cup tie at Ibrox, he more than held his own.
Benjamin Arthur of Celtic heads at goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The highly rated 20 year old followed that up with an impressive display against Motherwell at the weekend, looking very much the rock that we require in the centre of our defence against a slick Motherwell side.
Benjamin is strong, athletic, and great and the ball, something that Martin O’Neill likes in his centre backs, and he looked very commanding at the weekend, a quality that has been lacking in the centre of our defence for quite some time.
Benjamin Arthur. Aberdeen v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 4th March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
He’s a player who has a great future in the game, although the Virgil Van Djik comparisons are away over the top at this stage and unfair on a young player just starting out in the game. However watching him on the park against Motherwell at the weekend it was very easy to see why those sort of comparisons are being made.
Brentford might see some merit in extending Arthur’s loan spell North of the Border especially if there’s going to European football especially if it’s Champions League football that Celtic can offer. He’d return to Brentford as an experienced player better prepared to play in the Premier League.
Benjamin Arthur at Ibrox
That would seem like an everyone’s a winner scenario for Benjamin Arthur, Brentford and also Celtic.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
As a team, we had become way too dependent upon CCV within our squad.
Trusty has done okay in general within the position, but still looking far better in the LCB position imo?
Having both Trusty and scales available to ourselves in the LCB roles, especially if they could be considered as 3rd choice LB options also, would be most beneficial for ourselves, especially next season imo?
So great credit to both Arthur and Murray for stepping up when required recently. Murray gets the destination moreso with being a homegrown player, and starting to show why he was given preference over Welsh now.
As we got no idea yet, whether a new manager will opt for a back 3 or 4, within the setting up of our team. So impossible to say what the intentions might be of the CB positions?
Could already have 4 in position for next season?
Arthur making up 5 wouldn’t be something I would find to complain about, despite thinking it might be unlikely imo?
Until then, still got slightly higher confidence in Arthur ahead of Murray at present. But wouldn’t have any issues if between them, both playing out the RCB position for the remainder of this season either
Two points, firstly, if he’s that good shouldn’t we be trying to sign him rather than another loan deal?
Second point, a bit like Johno said, we’ll have CCV, Trusty, Scales, Murray, Welsh and Nawrochi back from loan so Arthur would be a seventh CB.
No team needs 7 so, unless some of the others are moved on, I don’t think we’ll see him after the end kf the season.
Be nice if the lad could return South with a couple of medals and lots of good things to say about our club, never a bad thing when you’re looking at recruitment.