Some Celtic fans are hoping that the club looks to re-sign former duo Patrick Roberts and Filip Benkovic, but feel that they opted for more money over the Parkhead-based club.
22-year-old Benkovic was on loan at Celtic Park from Leicester City in the 2018-19 campaign. Young Roberts whereas was on loan at the club from Manchester City in two seasons. He was there from 2016 to 2018.
Benkovic returned to Leicester this past summer, while Roberts returned to City in the summer of 2018. The former Fulham man was loaned out to Girona last season and is now at Norwich City in the Premier League.
Celtic fans: Do you want Roberts and Benkovic back?
We have better!
Get them in January!
Many Celtic fans miss the players, but they also feel that they opted for money over anything else.
Sign them both
— P the T (@PtheT) December 16, 2019
I think Roberts’ Man City contract is up in the summer, we’d be daft if we didn’t approach him in January
— Bobby Anderson (@8obbyanderson) December 17, 2019
This is why agents should be scoured from the game . Clubs should only use agents who put a career before money. I know it’s a pipe dream but the agents are depriving young players of a sporting legacy
— Pat Harkin (@PatHarkin7) December 16, 2019
To be fair i dont think Paddy sees fhe money. He feels he is good enough to get a game but it’s a shame that the style of the teams he has went to aren’t conducive of the way he plays. I would take him back in a heartbeat
— Steve-o (@scoobasteve67) December 17, 2019
Roberts could be an option in January for Celtic….But something tells me if he remains chasing the money he end up in non league football
— jack (@penecelt) December 17, 2019
get them both signed up. Could give us years of service and have already seen the premiership dream is a crock. A fully fit Benko is as good as any CH in Europe and Paddy will always fit into a celtic team.
— The Tears of Shasta Sheen (@TheShasta) December 17, 2019
The Hoops won the Premiership when both the players were at the club. Roberts won the Premiership three times during his stint at the club, while Benkovic also won the title in the 2018-19. He also won a league cup and domestic cup title.
In the 2016-17 season, Roberts had the most productive campaign of his career. The Englishman played 47 times in all competitions that season. He racked up a tally of 11 goals and 19 assists during that campaign.
Throughout his stint there, Roberts played 78 times in all competitions. He scored 18 times and racked up 26 assists for the club.
Benkovic though, played 27 times in all competitions for the Hoops last season. Playing at centre-back, he scored twice in the Premiership and had one assist to his name.
What do we think?
Both the players are currently struggling for gametime at Leicester and Norwich respectively. It makes for a good reading for Hoops fans, who seem desperate for winter signings. They need depth at centre-back- something Benkovic provides. With Scott Sinclair likely to leave with his contract expiring next summer, Roberts could also be a very good signing.