If Celtic do beat the drop, then it will be partly due to the contribution of Bentham, who made his last appearance while on loan at Farsley in yesterday's 1-0 victory at Torquay United.

Deacey was gutted to see the combative midfielder return to parent club Bradford City, but the 23-year-old is out of contract in the summer and the Celts boss is hopeful Farsley fans haven't seen the last of him.

Deacey said: "He's a lovely lad and he's one of the best signings I've made.

"I've never had a wrong word with him, he's got a great attitude and I have really enjoyed having him here.

"He has been superb to work with and I do hope I can work with him again next season. He is someone I would really love to sign permanently.

"We have talked and I do hope we can sign him because he is out of contract at the end of the season."

Bentham, who arrived at Throstle Nest at the start of January, has been instrumental as Farsley have given themselves more than a fighting chance of survival in their inaugural season in the Conference.

They looked to be fighting a losing battle at one stage, but a run of four wins, four draws and just three defeats from 11 games ahead of this weekend's trip to Devon left their destiny in their own hands.

Celtic kept four clean sheets in that spell and started banging the goals in at the other end as Bentham formed a formidable partnership in the engine room with first James Knowles and then Dominic Krief.

Deacey said: "He is a good all-round footballer, he has got a brilliant attitude and it has rubbed off on the rest of the players.

"He is a Bradford City player, but his enthusiasm and willingness to fight for Farsley Celtic Football Club has been fantastic.

I have used him as an example on a couple of occasions during half-time team talks.

"Whoever I have played in there with him – Dominic or Knowlsey – his influence has rubbed off on his midfield partner.

"He has just got that never-say-die attitude and if we do stay up he will have played a big part in that."

Deacey will now be hoping the influence stays with Krief and Knowles, who look set to be the midfield mainstays as Celtic approach six games which will confirm their destiny.

Deacey failed at the 11th hour to boost his central options when a move for Huddersfield Town's Matty Young fell through just before the loan window closed last month.

Celtic, who are in a five-way fight with Halifax Town, Weymouth, Altrincham and Northwich to avoid the final two of four relegation places, have a big home clash against rock-bottom Droylsden on Tuesday night before trips to Oxford United and Ebbsfleet.

A trip to York then comes in between home encounters with Forest Green Rovers and Grays, on the final day of the season.

Celtic went into the weekend on 36 points, just two clear of the relegation zone, with Deacey targeting a total of at least 45 in a dogfight which is simply too close to call.

Deacey said: "They are all big games now, but Droylsden especially so.

"It should be a good time to play them. They have played Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and they now have to play us on Tuesday. We have got to put them under pressure and take the game to them to try and take advantage of any tiredness.

"It's a game we have got to take three points from really. I think we need at least 45 points to stay up and if we can get three against Droylsden we should be able to do it."