OPINION
It is no surprise that Celtic are sitting pretty at the top of the Scottish Premiership, and the recent arrival of Neil Lennon as manager will no doubt keep their hopes of winning it alive.
Brendan Rodgers has laid down the groundwork in order for Lennon to guide the Hoops to a momentous ‘treble treble’, groundwork which included defender Filip Benkovic’s partnership with Dedryck Boyata.
His pairing with the Belgian was crucial to Celtic’s impressive defensive showings at the start of the season, but that was put to an abrupt end when he got injured.
However, the green and white half of Glasgow are surely jumping for joy after the latest injury update on the 21-year-old enforcer.
The Daily Record report that he has returned to light training after suffering an ankle injury in January, and even though he is not set to be fit in time for the upcoming clash against Hibernian, he could be available for the crucial Old Firm Derby later this month.
There were fears that he would not appear again this season, but Lennon has now been handed a potential boost for Celtic’s crunch fixture with the Gers.
Benkovic is just the player to steady the Hoops defence alongside Boyata again, and this is a prospect that will have Celtic fans bouncing everywhere.
Kristoffer Ajer has been filling in for the on-loan Leicester star, but it is safe to say that many supporters would much prefer Benkovic taking his place in the starting XI.
He no doubt established himself as a fan favourite at Parkhead during his 16 league appearances this season – and with his return, the title should all be but wrapped up for the Hoops.
The prospect of facing in-form Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos would definitely be less scary with a defender like Benkovic in the team, and Lennon no doubt has his fingers crossed that the Croatian makes it in time for this game.