IT ISN’T A DED LOSS
Hoops refuse to allow bad patch to wreck their spirit
CHRIS DAVIES has urged Celtic fans to trust in Brendan Rodgers keeping them the best team in Scotland.
The Hoops assistant boss admits the future of Dedryck Boyata remains clouded, but he will return to the first team squad next week.
Davies has moved to quell unrest after the most troubling week of Rodgers’ two-year reign by insisting they will emerge stronger for recent setbacks.
Celtic were knocked out of the Champions League by
AEK Athens last week amid controversy over the club’s lack of transfer activity.
Belgian defender Boyata also failed to travel to Greece, even though his manager maintained he was fit enough to play the crunch Euro qualifier.
Ahead of today’s Betfred Cup tie at Partick Thistle, Davies said: “It’s important to realise the manager has been managing the situation. He’s been a manager for 10 years at a big level.
“He has experienced these situations before with high level players.
“Yes, there is disappointment about not qualifying for the Champions League but we are not going to let one easy narrative be attached to it, ‘it’s all this person’s fault, or this situation’s fault.’
“We are double Treble winners in Scotland, we need to stay on top and remain the dominant force, which I am confident we’ll do. We must try and make an impact in the European competition we’re in. We move together, stronger, as a club.
“As it stands, the situation is still open. Dedryck is still a Celtic player and may remain a Celtic player.
“Dedryck is not going to be involved against Partick Thistle.
“His current plan, to the best of my knowledge, is that he will train with the first team group at the next session.”
Former Hoops ace Stilian Petrov claimed Boyata may find there’s no way back in the dressing-room.
But Davies said: “We’re not going to make one easy target and vilify one player for the disappointment, because that’s not the right thing to do.”
Meanwhile, new Bhoy Daniel Arzani (inset) has revealed he was fated to play for Celtic after winding up Aussie team-mate Tom Rogic earlier this summer in Russia.
The 19-year-old winger – who has agreed a two-year loan to the Scottish champions from Manchester City – said: “Tom and I spoke about the club a lot during the World Cup and I said, ‘I’m coming to play for Celtic’ but I was just taking the p*** because I had no idea at that stage it was in the pipeline.
“It’s crazy the way it’s all worked out since then.”
He added: “Celtic is a massive club and one everyone knows about. They have a huge following around the world so I’m really excited about coming here and speaking to the gaffer sealed the deal for me.”