In terms of Brendan Rodgers’ most ineffective signings – Kundai Benyu must be joint number one with Marvin Compper.
The Englishman was signed by Celtic just weeks after the club secured their first treble under Rodgers. Arriving from Ipswich Town, where he didn’t make a single appearance, this looked like one for the future.
Only, it now is the future and we still haven’t seen one jot of him outside of a splutter of appearances at the start of last season. Benyu featured against Linfield, Rosenborg, and Kilmarnock (x2), but that’s been his lot.
He’s yet to get a regular run of games since that period, and his time at Parkhead already looks to be on thin ice.
But why haven’t the club looked to get him out on a loan deal this January? Celtic have been trying to attract interest for the likes of Lewis Morgan and Jack Hendry. But it’s arguable that nobody at the club need game-time more than the match-starved Benyu.
He has, of course, already been out on loan once since signing for the Hoops. An absolutely dire six-month stint at Oldham Athletic saw him make just five unimpressive appearances in blue. He failed to score or assist, and was quickly back at Parkhead having earned nothing at all from his time down south.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
Benyu’s time at Parkhead has been forgetful
Warning lights were flashing around Benyu at that point. If he was to start making it at Celtic, he had to light it up at Oldham. But it’s interesting to see that the club haven’t yet found a second chance for him down south or elsewhere.
Jack Aitchison has had to make the move to Alloa Athletic on loan for some game-time. He’s a much higher-rated prospect than Benyu, and therefore that may need to be the level Benyu is now looking at.
But there’s been total silence from the club about plans for him. This has to therefore be chalked up as another dreadful Lee Congerton spot. Celtic’s Head of Recruitment has a few, but Benyu is high on the list of forgetful signings.
Of course there’s still time for Celtic to get something done on Benyu. The lack of care or recognition of his minimal game-time has to be a concern for him, however.
If he’s ever going to make it at Celtic, or elsewhere, he needs to be playing at 21. He certainly won’t be getting that experience here.