BOYATA IN NO-SHOW AGAIN FOR CELTIC
Rodgers: ‘I have to put players on pitch who’ll fight for the shirt’
DEDRYCK Boyata last night again cast doubts over his Celtic future after declaring himself unable to play against Suduva this evening in Celtic’s Europa League qualifier.
The Belgian internationalist’s decision not to travel has left Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers with only Kristoffer Ajer and Jozo Simunovic available to play – Jack Hendry has an ankle injury – and echoed last week’s display when the defender declared himself injured, contrary to what Rodgers insisted, ahead of the third-round Champions League qualifier.
That call came on the back of Celtic’s decision to knock back a £9m offer from Fulham for Boyata.
Boyata’s decision not to travel came after a clear the air meeting with Rodgers and Celtic captain Scott Brown. The defender was also photographed training with the first-team squad at Celtic Park yesterday before their flight to Lithuania.
“I have to put players on the pitch who will fight for the shirt. So, when I get the feeling it is maybe not right, I don’t think twice about it,” said Rodgers last night.
What comes next will be interesting.
Sevilla confirmed on Tuesday that Boyata is a player on their radar. The Spaniards are believed to be poised to make a £10m bid for the 27-year-old, but with Celtic declaring their interest in Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna over after the Pittodrie side insisted they would not be selling the defender, the Parkhead side could stand firm in their refusal to sell Boyata if they cannot source an adequate replacement.
Rodgers said: “Dedryck hasn’t travelled. There are still issues around him physically. We are at the stage of the season where we can’t afford to take any risks with players of they are not physically right to be here.
“He has a problem with his back, which he struggled with last week. I just think overall his fitness [isn’t there] in terms of him coming into the game. If he doesn’t feel right – and this is what we are gauging him on – because he’s training with us and we’re asking where he is at in his fitness, if he’s not right then I can’t afford to play him.
“I need the players who are mentally and physically right for these games.
“Dedryck had a meeting with the captain and myself, we all spoke about where we were at and that we wanted to move on from it, and we felt if he was ready to do that and commit to our work then, of course, we only want good players but more importantly we want good attitudes.
“That was something which was made clear. So, from that, Dedryck has trained the last few days with the squad but deems himself not ready physically to participate in the game.
“I can only say in terms of what he has said. He is not right to play in the game so I have to move on quickly and prepare the players who want to be here and are physically right to play the game.
“I had spoken to him on Tuesday because I wanted to know what he was feeling. It was a difficult week for he and his team-mates, and I didn’t want it for a group that has been so spirited and strong.
“After a couple of days, I have to get a feel whether the player is available and he made it clear he wasn’t ready for the game. We move on.
“I think he understands the situation and the supporters. What they want to see is a player pulling on a jersey and being 100 per cent committed – despite what ability they have.
“That is what every supporter wants to see. I didn’t think twice about it. There has to be a win first of all for the team. If not it’s very difficult for a player to play to their best.”