A section of Celtic fans took to Twitter to hail Filip Benkovic for his debut performance in their side’s 0-0 draw against St Mirren on Friday night.
The deadline day loan signing from Leicester City started alongside Kristoffer Ajer and Dedryck Boyata in a three-man defence, with Kieran Tierney and James Forrest slotted into wide roles ahead of them.
Many Celtic followers were impressed with what they saw from Benkovic, who lasted 60 minutes before he was replaced by Leigh Griffiths.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below.
COMMENTARY:
This was an impressive first showing from Benkovic on what was an otherwise forgettable night for Celtic. Handed his debut in a new-look back line, the 21-year-old Croatian looked the part as Brendan Rodgers switched to a three-man defence to accommodate him. Celtic’s defence has been creaking in recent times, even last season when they won their second consecutive treble, and the man from Leicester was captured during a late window trolley dash. Rodgers is always keen for his defenders to be comfortable on the ball and to play out from the back wherever possible. Benkovic did ping some fine passes when not under pressure but was also guilty of taking the safe options by distributing it sideways to Ajer and Boyata on a number of occasions. That said, the youngster did not look unduly troubled on a night when Celtic did not play well and he looks to have the frame and physique to cope with the demanding SPL.
Agee 100% mate… Benkovic and Boyata will be rock solid this year if they can stay fit, Benkovic spraying pin piont 40 yard diags for fun!!
— John Girasoli (@JGirasoli) September 14, 2018
Boyata and Benkovic will be a formidable pairing. Too bad we didn’t secure a RB. Seriously lacking creativity. Need to mix up our play more in these types of games.
— M (@BabyBoo4444444) September 14, 2018
Benkovic looks a player
— JamesGal (@JamesG4L) September 14, 2018
Absoutely strolled it, looks obviously class. Tough on Ajer, but I'd go 4-4-2 with Boyata and Benkovic as CB's. Ajer is one for the future and on a long contract, so he has plenty of time to develop (and he will).
— McKenzie (@Boaby_Wan) September 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/Green20William/status/1040706063958466560
He’s a young centre half and kept a clean sheet the time he was on ffs give the boy a chance
— paul eadie (@eadie86) September 14, 2018
He looked ok and made some good long passes. The set up was wrong. Prefer a back 4.
— Mick Glasgow (@mick67x) September 14, 2018
Brilliant at playing an incisive six yard square pass to boyata, same as ajer
— George G (@Oldtimeaccie) September 14, 2018