DED TIRED BUT I MUCH PREFER IT THAT WAY

Defender Boyata bins midnight gym sessions during busy run of games

THE last time Dedryck Boyata hit the comeback trail he was burning the midnight oil in the gym in a bid to return to fitness.

The lights were left on at Lennoxtown until the wee small hours but this time the Celtic defender insists it’s been lights out and early to bed.

Boyata had six months out last season and then missed the first quarter of this term with a knee injury.

But he hasn’t been able to rebuild on the treadmill, he has had to hit the ground running as the big games have been coming thick and fast.

The Belgian ace admits he is feeling the effects of the hectic fixture list – especially as he’s been left as the last man standing at the back with Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko also crocked.

Boyata said: “I liked going to the gym at night but, no, that’s impossible just now!

“It’s definitely a big contrast, it’s not the same right now for me. I’m playing every game and I’m still coming back from injury so that means I still have a lot of work to do on the fitness side and it’s difficult to find the time to do the right rehab for the injury I had.

“I was going to the gym before because I wasn’t playing. Today I’m playing so I’m very happy to be in this position.

“I’m training every day but don’t get me wrong, if I feel it’s not possible I just have to say. We’re working with good physios and sports scientists and they look at the results and When you are playing every two or scores and if something seems three days you are always doing wrong they will put us on the something. Physically it isn’t the best sidelines.” but we are working hard to stay on

Boyata will again need to dig deep top of our game and being fit for tonight for the crunch Premiership every game. clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie but “We went from Champions he admitted fighting on several League to the semi-final and now fronts is taking its toll. we’re playing a team that have the

But he won’t need any extra same points as us so it’s going to be motivation to go again for a top-ofthe-table tough. clash and a Champions “That’s why we’re here though. League return against Bayern We’re here to play games and we Munich on the horizon. have these big challenges and we are

Boyata said: “I’m feeling pretty up for it.” tired, it’s definitely been a hard Aberdeen’s Ryan Christie will sit week, especially playing three out the clash with his parent under games in seven days. the terms of his loan agreement.

“We’re fine though. We have But boss Derek Mcinnes will another game on Saturday and welcome midfielder Greg Tansey we’ll just prepare for that again. back after groin surgery and the The adrenaline Pittodrie side have no other injury keeps concerns. you going Jonny Hayes returns to the Celtic in a way. squad after the former Dons winger When you recovered from an abductor problem play only sustained on international duty with one game a the Republic of Ireland. week it can Centre-back Simunovic remains feel very out with a hamstring problem while long sometimes. fellow defenders Anthony Ralston and Sviatchenko have knee woes.