Boyata may yet stay with Bhoys past the summer window
BRENDAN Rodgers last night revealed he hasn’t given up hope of keeping Dedryck Boyata at Celtic beyond the summer even though the centre-half is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club from next month.
Belgian defender Boyata was once again outstanding for Rodgers’ side in their narrow Betfred Cup final victory over Aberdeen at Hampden on Sunday afternoon.
The 28-year-old had his head stitched up following a collision with rival winger Gary Mackay-Steven in the first-half and played on until a hamstring strain forced him to come off early in the second.
The player was booed by Celtic supporters back in August after declaring himself unfit to take part in a crucial Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens – when his manager insisted he could – amid interest from Fulham.
However, since then the man who played three games for his country at the Russia 2018 finals has won round the fans with some exceptional performances domestically and in continental competition.
Rodgers, who has helped turn a player who had become a figure of fun in Scottish football into a regular starter for Belgium, has no concerns about Boyata’s commitment to the cause despite uncertainty over his future.
“I was very proud of Dedryck,” he said of his heroic display against Aberdeen.
“It was a tough summer for him in every way. But it is really satisfying to see how he has got over that and how he has performed.
“Since he had that little episode he has been absolutely brilliant for us.
“That partnership with [Filip] Benkovic has been very good. He gives everything to the cause. He is super professional.
“He has played a lot of games now for the No 1 ranked team in world football, Belgium. That really shows where he has come from to where he is at. It is a big credit to him.
“He is in the last year, but I am quite relaxed on it. He probably has to look at every option. He has created a market for himself now because of how he has performed which is great for him. Careers are short.
“There has been no lack of commitment from him since the summer as you have seen. But he has every right to wait and see what happens. I can assure everyone that doesn’t take away his commitment. The next contract will probably be the last big one of his career and he just has to make sure it’s the right one.”