Brendan Rodgers says new Celtic signing Kundai Benyu will be involved with the first team this season after he pulled the plug on a loan transfer.
The 19-year-old outshone many of his team mates during his side’s 4-0 defeat to Lyon on Saturday, leading to Rodgers singling him out for praise.
The Northern Irish manager complimented the midfielder’s ability on the ball, and said he was surprised at how well the youngster has dealt with first team action with the Hoops.
Now the manager has said that while the original plan was to secure a temporary deal elsewhere to provide experience of first team football, the player will be spending the first half of the season with the Hoops’ first team.
He told the Scottish Sun: “Initially the plan was to give him an idea of how we work then he might have gone on loan.
“But I’ve changed my mind after watching him.
“It’s going to be good for him to have six months with us to see how we train and work.
“He’s a boy who can contribute for us and he’s done very well.”
Meanwhile Benyu has said that he has achieved his goal of impressing his boss and insists that with Rodgers’ guidance, he can do a job for the senior side if called upon.
“Impressing the manager was my main objective. He wasn’t sure if I was going to go on loan,” he told the Scottish Sun.
“Given time, working as hard as I can in training and listening to the gaffer and his advice I think I’ll be able to get in the team as much as I can.
“But I’m ready to step in now if I have to, if the gaffer calls upon me.”
The young midfielder is a new signing at Celtic, having joined from Championship side Ipswich on a free transfer this summer.
However, he never made a first team appearance for the Tractor Boys, instead finding himself named on the bench for two league and two cup matches.
His only senior experience to date came during a loan spell at National League side Aldershot, where he made 23 appearances, scoring five goals and three assists.
He joins former Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes and latest arrival Olivier Ntcham as the Hoops’ new signings this summer.