Manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed Celtic summer signing Kundai Benyu has surprised him following Saturday’s 4-0 friendly defeat against Lyon.
The Glasgow giants have added three news players to their treble winning team this summer with each of Jonny Hayes and Olivier Ntcham joining alongside Benyu.
Benyu appeared to be a slight left field addition with the 19-year-old’s only experience of first team football to date coming in the English non-leagues with Aldershot.
However, Rodgers stated in a post-match interview, as quoted by the official Celtic Twitter account that he has been surprised by how good the midfielder is.
? BR on how well @kundaibenyu_ has performed since joining: "Very good. He has surprised me to be honest. Knew he was a good player."
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 15, 2017
? BR: "You see what we are trying to build here, players who are technically gifted but have good mobility & physicality."
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 15, 2017
? BR: "He's come in & played with a nice little edge. Has confidence. We played him off the side when he can come in and dominate the ball."
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 15, 2017
?BR: "How he receives ball is very good. Attacking player who wants to get goals. Very good for someone of 19 coming into this environment."
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 15, 2017
Benyu joined Celtic in June from English Championship club Ipswich for what is expected to be a small compensation figure following the expiration of his contract with the Tractor Boys.
He was reportedly being chased by a number of Premier League teams despite never playing for Ipswich and Hoops fans have high hopes for the youngster.
It is however unclear just how much first team football he will see in his debut campaign with the club making a similar deal in January which saw them bring in teenager Eboue Kouassi, who has since made just five first team appearances.
However, what is clear is that Rodgers has a clear eye on the future of Celtic and many will be hoping Benyu can follow in the footsteps of Moussa Dembele following his move from Fulham last summer.