‘I am a Merry Plough Bhoy’ – Benkovic sets Leipzig target for Celtic

FILIP BENKOVIC fancies himself as a farmer after being inspired by the Scottish countryside that he drives through every morning on his way to Celtic’s training ground at Lennoxtown.

The on loan Croatian defender arrived in Glasgow from his new club Leicester City for a season long loan deal just before the summer transfer window closed and has made a big impression in the games that he has played in.

He was delighted after Celtic’s 4-2 win against Hibs on Saturday and even led a KT style post match celebration in front of the standing section. Yesterday he spoke to the press ahead of Celtic trip to Germany to play RB Leipzig – where Marvin Compper has also got himself some rather controversial media coverage this morning – see HERE.

Getting back to a player who earns his wages, Benkovic gave this rather unusual insight into his own life plans. Here’s what he had to say to the media yesterday.

“I like living in Glasgow because it’s very similar to life in Zagreb,” he began.

“Everything is moving fast. For young people it’s very good — but I don’t have time for all of this!

“What I do like is that on my drive to training I see a lot of farms on the journey.

“Who knows what will happen at the end of my career. Maybe one day I can open my own farm. I have been thinking about that because my family have worked in the countryside.

“I come from Zagreb, but my grandparents come from outside the city. My father grew up in a small village. Sometimes I used to help my grandparents on a farm — but now I’m too busy with my football.

“I don’t know what my team-mates will think about this. I don’t know what Scott Brown will think. Maybe we can get together in this idea for a farm!”

All rather bizarre from the player that Celtic have long admired but when Leicester offered £13.5m it was too rich for the Scottish Champions. A loan deal was the next best option though, as Benkovic explained.

“I knew Celtic had been watching me for a while, and I was happy about that.

“When this loan move was mentioned, I wanted to come. When a club as big as Celtic is interested in you it can only mean you are doing the right things.

“Now I’m finally here I am so proud, and grateful to Celtic for giving me the chance to play here.

“I have settled in very well. The whole squad has accepted me and I am really happy to be here.

“I was in a hotel at first but now I have an apartment, which is much easier for me. My team-mates have assisted me and I thank them for that — Jozo Simunovic has been a big help since my first day.”

Benkovic has started to build a decent on the field partnership with Derrick Boyata, who is also at Celtic for this season before making a move to a richer league. We all know that particular story so we can hopefully enjoy having two high quality central defenders in the team for the moment anyway.

The Leicester City man is happy to watch, listen and learn from the Belgium World Cup star.

“Dedryck plays for the Belgian national team, which shows his quality. Every day in training, I watch his moves and I’ve learned a lot just from that. I file away everything I learn from him in my head.

“Dedryck also gives me advice, just like Jozo and the other players, which is positive.

“Celtic have a good mix of young and experienced players in central defensive positions.

“That means the younger ones like myself have very good energy, while the older professionals bring their knowledge.

“We can have a good season together but it will not be easy.

“There are a lot of good teams so we must work hard every day, we can’t relax in any game, we must push hard all the time.”

Looking ahead to Thursday night in what is expected to be a very tough shift for Celtic, Benkovic is nevertheless optimistic that the defence can hold firm as he targets a clean sheet. He revels in playing European football and wants to get more experience at that level while at Celtic.

“The biggest game I played was against Sevilla or Lyon. I felt good in these games.

“The match I liked most was a 1-0 defeat to Lyon in Zagreb. Yet it’s still a good memory.

“We played very well and games like that can only give you more experience. This is the level I want to get to one day. I was up against Alexandre Lacazette that night against Lyon, it was very hard.

“European football is top for me. These games against teams like Leipzig are special because the players are all playing for their national teams.

“It’s a challenge for us to see where we are, and to try and be competitive.

“We want to compete and to show that to everyone.

“Leipzig played very good football last year, even Bayern Munich could not say it was a certain three points because of the level Leipzig have reached.

“But we can’t go there to give up. We must fight for the 90 minutes and try to get some points.

“It could be our toughest game. But we have one clean sheet against Rosenborg already, why not another?”

Also on The Celtic Star today…

Jim Craig – It was outside left John Hughes who made the difference….See HERE.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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