THE BIGGEST 48 HOURS OF MY LIFE
Celtic defender Boyata is dreaming of securing his place in Belgium’s World Cup squad after lifting the Scottish Cup at Hampden
I’ve worked hard to be in the group but I’m not the one making the choice
AT the end of a long, stamina-sapping season, Dedryck Boyata is approaching 48 hours that could transport him to footballing nirvana.
On Saturday at Hampden, the centreback will aim to secure an indelible place in Celtic’s history by helping his club attain back-to-back Trebles.
Then, on Monday, comes the announcement of the Belgian World Cup squad.
Boyata has been a regular part of Roberto Martinez’s selections in recent months, yet is taking nothing for granted as he awaits the one announcement that truly matters.
Having missed Euro 2016 because of a painfully-timed hamstring injury, earning a place on the plane to Russia would fulfil an ambition harboured since childhood.
Not that the 27-year-old is getting too hung up about it. He revealed he might have to wait for definitive news as he will be around 30,000ft above the ground when the 23 names are released.
‘It will be a huge 48 hours for me, but, as soon as the Scottish Cup final is over, I am going on holiday,’ smiled Boyata.
‘When the squad is announced for the national team, I’ll be on the plane, so I’ll find out later in the evening. I’ll be in the air. I won’t have a clue. But a few hours later isn’t going to change anything.’
His immediate priority is to make sure he has another Scottish Cup winners’ medal stowed safely at home before heading to the airport. Boyata’s relaxed approach should not, however, be mistaken for any lack of desire to represent his nation at a major tournament. Group games against England, Panama and Tunisia will begin the tournament for a side rated by many as potential winners.
‘I have said from the beginning that I have worked hard to be in the selection this year,’ reflected Boyata.
‘I don’t think I have missed one (squad). But there are a lot of players in the squad and to get a place for the World Cup was always going to be difficult. I knew that at the beginning.
‘All I have to do is keep playing my games, stay fit and then see what is going to happen. But I am not the one making the choices.
‘Saturday is the first thing I will focus on and, if that goes well, then maybe the other thing is going to come, but of course you never know. ‘I’m hopeful. It’s a dream I’ve had since I was younger. I missed the Euros because of an injury two years ago and it was hard. ‘If I don’t go I’ll be sad, I’m not going to lie, but it’s just how the game goes. For the moment, I’m just hoping. Of course there is stress but you just don’t know. ‘The coach has never given us pre-warnings about his selections before, so I think we will just find out at the time.’ At least his involvement at Hampden should be assured. And Boyata is acutely aware of the significance of the weekend meeting with Motherwell. Repeating last season’s Invincible Treble was always going to be nighon impossible, but a clean sweep of all six domestic trophies available since Brendan Rodgers arrived would still break new ground. ‘I am very excited,’ he admitted. ‘We know that no one has been able to do the Treble twice in a row and it might be a good day in history for us. ‘But then we know that we have to go and work hard for it. We have had wonderful seasons this year and last year. We knew it would be very difficult to do what we did last season but we still have the chance to win the Treble and we might not have that chance again in the future.
‘It is not going to be easy, of course, but if we manage to do it, it will be a big day. As a player you want to be part of the history and make your name somewhere. It would be unbelievable for us.
‘Winning the Treble last year was a great moment. For myself, I always take it seriously. All the medals I have are in my office. All the things I have from being a boy.
‘Maybe right now — because we are always playing in games and things are going really quickly — you don’t really think about it.
‘For example, I got a (Premiership) medal last week, but straight away I have to think about a final this week.
‘But in future years, I’m sure I’m going to look back at what we have done. I’m just enjoying the moment right now.’
His achievements have further raised Boyata’s profile back home. Revealing the late grandfather of his Brussels-born wife had a soft spot for Celtic, the former Manchester City player has discovered a new army of well-wishers.
‘I was doing an interview for Belgian media just the other day,’ added Boyata. ‘They don’t see Scottish football as we do because they don’t have Sky or whatever.
‘But there are a lot of Celtic fans in Belgium. I realised that only when I started to play here. It is a great thing and a big thing for me. I have a lot of love and support from back home.
‘There are Irish bars in Brussels. My wife’s grandfather was a big Celtic fan but he has passed away. He was the one going to the pubs.
‘Why did he like Celtic? I don’t know. It’s a strange one. I never knew about it, but when I signed he told us the story that he had been following Celtic Football Club for years.
‘It was the same with my agent. He’s got all type of shirts in his room and the fact I had the chance to sign for Celtic was a big thing for him.
‘To play here and make history is a great thing.’