Paradise Is Just The Fillip For Filip

The European atmosphere at Celtic Park was even better than Filip Benkovic imagined

- Tony Connelly

HOOPS fans have heard it time and time again from some of the world’s greatest players, the atmosphere at Celtic Park on a European night is unrivalled.

Filip Benkovic experienced this first-hand in the UEFA Europa League game against Rosenborg and after the Group B 1-0 win, he admitted the occasion had moved him more than he ever imagined.

The 21-year-old Croatian made his Hoops debut less than a week prior to the game against Rosenborg. Celtic were held to a 0-0 against St Mirren that night despite dominating the game with only 10 men.

Just six days later, Benkovic was gearing up to play his first game at Paradise. He was in attendance when Celtic beat FK Suduva to book their place in the group stages of the UEFA Europa League and the experience had left him itching to be on the pitch playing in front of the Celtic fans in a European game.

When Brendan Rodgers named him in the starting XI for the visit of the Norwegian champions, Benkovic knew he was going to be riding a wave of euphoria for 90 minutes, but he said the reality turned out to be more than he had even anticipated.

“The atmosphere was incredible,” he said. “It was a very good game. I really enjoyed it and it was a pleasure to be involved.

“That was my first game at Celtic Park and it was an unbelievable feeling, the fans were amazing. They were behind us for 90 minutes and it really helped the players. We had to fight for the goal but the fans trusted us and we believed in ourselves. The goal eventually came at the end and it has given us a very important three-points.

“This is why I play football, for moments like this. It was very emotional for me but I really enjoyed it and I’m so happy to be here.”