Invincibles will mean nothing if we don’t win the Treble
SAYS DEDRYCK BOYATA
EVEN being an Invincible does not provide indefinite protection. The pain of losing the Scottish Cup final could still pierce that armour.
Dedryck Boyata recognises the risk. In the Belgian’s eyes, the extraordinary feat of an unbeaten Premiership campaign would provide no consolation if the chance of Celtic’s first Treble since 2001 slipped away.
‘Obviously, it would be very hard if we lost the final,’ said Boyata. ‘That’s the last game we have to play. It’s the game where we will give 200 per cent.
‘It’s a big game and we want to finish on a high, if possible.
‘We have been working hard. We’ve been invincible in the league. But we’ve got another game and I think we’ll forget everything if we lose this final.’
Boyata will invest all his strength in preventing that outcome when he lines up against Aberdeen at Hampden. There is also a piece of personal history at stake.
So far in his career, the number of cup-winning parties attended stands at three. The number of minutes Boyata has actually played in a final, however, is still stuck on zero.
Saturday provides a chance to alter that unwelcome scoreline. For the first time in a knockout competition, the centre-half hopes to be at the centre of the celebrations having made an active contribution on the pitch.
Boyata had yet to begin the impressive rebirth of his Celtic career when Aberdeen were defeated in November’s League Cup final. But his story of being a wallflower as the champagne corks pop begins way before his arrival in Glasgow.
In 2011, he was an unused substitute when Manchester City defeated Stoke to win the FA Cup. What happened three years later was a little tougher to take.
Boyata played a part in wins over Wigan Athletic, Newcastle United, Leicester City and West Ham United as City reached the Carling Cup final.
However, come the Wembley showpiece against Sunderland, his name was nowhere to be seen in the 18-man squad picked by Manuel Pellegrini.
Inclusion this weekend seems a racing certainty. A regular in Brendan Rodgers’ side since the turn of the year, Boyata has been one of the late-blooming success stories of an exceptional campaign.
If his case required any further cementing, the fact that he has headed home corners in Celtic’s two most recent wins over Aberdeen should do it.
‘I was watching from the stand in the League Cup final,’ reflected Boyata. ‘I had barely played a game then.
‘The final was in November. I played a game in that month and then hurt my hamstring again. It was a hard moment for me.
‘First of all, as a player, you want to participate in every single moment, every great moment for the team. You want to be a part of it, to say you’ve been on the pitch or came on.
‘If you manage to get a few games and get to the final and don’t play, then you can still say you took part. It’s difficult not playing a minute, but a team is not just 11 players — it’s 23 or 24 people.
‘At City, I was on the bench for the FA Cup final against Stoke. I didn’t get on. I played in the Community Shield against Arsenal when we lost 3-0.
‘I played all the games for the Carling Cup, then was in the stand for the final three years ago. So I’ve never actually played in the 11 starters.
‘Was it disappointing? Of course it was, but that’s life. I can’t say anything about it. That’s just how it was at the time.
‘Of course, it would be good to play in a final. But it’s going to be nothing if we don’t win.
‘If you manage to make history, it’s a great achievement for any player.’
Raising a glass of fizz certainly wasn’t on the agenda last November. Boyata was beginning another fight towards full fitness that encompassed late-night gym sessions at a deserted Lennoxtown training centre.
‘First of all, I don’t drink all that much,’ he smiled. ‘If I have a drink, it has to be an exceptional moment for myself.
‘But after the League Cup final, I was more focused on myself, because even though I was still injured, I don’t think the alcohol would have helped me.
‘On Saturday? If we win, I don’t know what’s going to happen. A win would be a positive.
‘If we win, it would be an exceptional moment. Whatever happens it will be positive.’
The season has been great, but we will forget it all if we lose the cup final
Boyata’s dedication to his profession convinced Rodgers that he was worth another opportunity. It was duly grasped with both hands.
The 26-year-old hasn’t looked back since appearing in a Scottish Cup tie against Albion Rovers just after the winter break. He and Jozo Simunovic formed the first-choice partnership as Celtic made it 38 league games without a loss.
‘To get the achievement, we needed a lot of work and a lot of changes,’ insisted Boyata.
‘But starting the season, no team would say they would go and not lose any games.
‘For myself, it was different. At the beginning of the season I was injured and I couldn’t get into the team.
‘So I wasn’t even close to that, I wasn’t even thinking about that. I had other goals.
‘But, towards the end when I started playing, it was good to be a part of the team and be back in the defence trying to get as many results as we could.
‘Right now, it’s just a great feeling to be in this position.
‘When I was out, it was a difficult moment for myself and for the people around me, too.
‘Being in this position today feels really good and something I’ve learned is you need to enjoy the moment.
‘I’ve come far. I don’t really want to think about it because there were some negative moments, some bad moments.
‘I’m not pointing at anyone — I did the injury myself then I came back and did it again.
‘Mentally, it’s hard but today things have changed and you can only go forwards. You learn from this moment. Mentally, you get stronger and now I feel good.’