A REBOOT UP THE BACKSIDE
SALZBURG v CELTIC Rodgers: Boyata is now back to his best form CRAIG SWAN
BRENDAN RODGERS made his view crystal clear when Dedryck Boyata sat out the Champions League qualification campaign.
But now Celtic are safely into the group stages of the Europa League with him back in the fold, the boss is now adamant the Belgian can be key to his team laying a solid platform for success in Europe’s second tier.
Boyata’s return to favour has been instrumental in the upturn in defensive fortunes for Celtic. Having basically gone on strike during the Champions League qualifiers, Rodgers expressed his disappointment at his absence at the time.
But, having told the defender he was staying and putting him back into the team, the World Cup star has been inspirational.
Boyata has helped the side to seven clean sheets in their last eight games and Rodgers is now looking for him to be a mainstay of a compact approach on the continent.
He has seen the stopper validate his belief about being top class and the Celtic boss said: “That was always the case. Dedryck will leave at some point.
“You look at him now and see he is really defined as a player who has gained great confidence the last two years, the last 18 months in particular.
“Going to the World Cup he has proven there at a good level that he can play with world-class players. He is entering into his years at 28 where he can show it.
“I have always said when he is concentrated, he’s top class. For us, he is a big player, every game he has been showing that.”
Boyata will partner either Jack Hendry or the returning Jozo Simunovic tonight with Kristoffer c.swan@dailyrecord.co.uk Ajer and Filip Benkovic absent and his influence will be crucial as Celtic look to gain a foothold in the contest. At various times over the past couple of years in the Champions League group stages, Celtic have lost bad goals and plenty of them. Rodgers would never park the bus but is looking at various ways to tighten things up. He said: “I think we were in against a level of opponent that was at the real top end of the game. We struggled with it. We set up to be defensive and, when it worked, it worked well for us. “Against Barcelona at home it worked well for us to a certain degree. The shape worked well to a point. But then their top end quality got them through. “When we aren’t on it, and we have to be at our maximum at this level, and make a mistake, against the top sides you get punished. “I would never expose any team I’ve had to that. “We’re at a level now where we’re playing against very good teams. Away from home in particular you’ve got to ensure you are super tight, super compact. It’s also about being dangerous with your possession. “You know when you come away from home in Europe, you’re playing against quality teams. They’re going to have the ball, they’re going to move the ball. “You’ve just got to make sure that tactically you’re closing space. But also when you have the ball you are dangerous with it and also be really aggressive.” Salzburg will, of course, pose a considerable offensive threat. The Austrians have scored a bundle of goals while racking up a 16-game unbeaten record at the beginning of this term but Rodgers also sees potential to get at the hosts due to their expansive style.
He said: “They should be (frustrated they are not in the Champions League). Being 2-0 up in your home leg in the last qualification game (against Red Star Belgrade) and to lose two goals and go out on away goals, you would be bitterly disappointed.
“You only have to look at last season. They almost got to the Europa League Final.
“They were semi-finalists and just missed out when they were expected to go through.
“They score goals but they concede as well. They were 2-0 up against Leipzig and brought back to 2-2 before Leipzig conceded late on. Because of the shape, there is space in behind and beside it.
“They play with a diamond and, having worked with a diamond a lot, I know how you can really press teams in with it.
“But on the other side, it can leave you weak and open and you can exploit that. If you can get out, it gives you a chance to create opportunities.
“There is no doubt the flexibility in our movement is coming back again.
“I can see good signs like Saturday when we had to really battle and fight, but showed good quality at times, we created some good opportunities.
“Look, we haven’t come flying out of the blocks by any means, but the dynamic is getting better, the intensity in our game. I’m looking forward to the game. It’s going to be a real battle.”
“They are a very, very good team and are winning lots of games, so it will be a really tough game but it’s one I’m looking forward to and the battle within it.