Unlucky Bhoy
But boss is backing Boyata for World Cup
BRENDAN Rodgers is backing Dedryck Boyata to return stronger from his latest injury blow and end the new season with a place in Belgium’s World Cup squad.
Ruled out for up to three months with knee-ligament damage sustained in a friendly against Slavia Prague earlier this week, the centre-back will miss the entirety of Celtic’s Champions League qualification bid for the second successive year.
Boyata could feel he is cursed by the timing of these setbacks. A hamstring injury prior to Euro 2016 cost him any participation in that showcase tournament and meant he was playing catch-up when Rodgers took control at Parkhead last summer.
The 26-year-old displayed admirable tenacity to fight his way back into the first-team picture, becoming established as a first pick for the second half of a campaign that saw Celtic crowned as Treble-winning Invincibles.
This latest injury leaves Rodgers considering whether to accelerate plans to add to his defensive options in the transfer market.
However, after arriving in Dublin ahead of today’s friendly with Shamrock Rovers, the Northern Irishman was more concerned with Boyata’s well-being.
‘It would be great if Dedryck can come back and get into that Belgium World Cup squad,’ insisted Rodgers. ‘He has all the tools to be there. If you look at the competition, it’s strong with Jan Vertonghen, Vincent Kompany and Toby Alderweireld.
‘They have strong defensive players but there is no doubt that Dedryck will be in the thoughts of Roberto (Martinez, Belgium coach).
‘They have been playing a back three and he can do that — central or on the sides.
‘He has pace and he can pass the ball. More importantly, he can also defend. When Belgium play, the defenders are left on a one-v-one situation. Dedryck can handle that because he is quick.
‘Celtic is the priority but I want him to do well in an international sense, too. Hopefully, this is just a setback and he can recover the way he did last season.’
Rodgers hopes to have Boyata back in contention at some point in September, but will be careful not to rush his recovery.
‘We just need to assess it,’ he added. ‘Each individual recovers differently and some are quicker than others.
‘His leg is in a brace just to stabilise the knee and then he will work hard to get his fitness back.
‘He missed the European involvement last season and that was sad for him. When I came in last pre-season, Dedryck was injured and that was one of the things that set him back.
‘The frustration is that it happened right on half-time in the game (against Slavia).
‘He was just trying to drag the ball back and there was nothing malicious in the challenge. It has just opened up his knee ligament and now he needs time to recover.
‘But he is strong. He came back from injuries last year and at least he goes away this time knowing he has made a great impact on the team. He was a pivotal player for us in the second half of last season and I believe he will come back stronger from this.
‘But we just have to let him get back in his own time. I know he’ll work hard, that is his mentality, and we will continue to work and we have other players who can come in and do a very good job.’
Rodgers expressed optimism that Celtic could make progress with transfer plans over the weekend, with young French midfielder Olivier Ntcham from Manchester City a leading target.
He still has Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko available as recognised senior centre-backs ahead of next Friday’s opening Champions League qualifier against Linfield in Belfast.
Mikael Lustig can also switch infield, but Rodgers would be reluctant to consider any alteration for left-back Kieran Tierney — who won his most recent Scotland cap as part of a back three — to plug Boyata’s absence.
‘I’ll sit down and have a look to see where we are at,’ said Rodgers. ‘We have Jozo, who has been on a real good run of fitness but is one we have always been managing.
‘Erik has normally been fit, which has been fine. Kris Ajer has come back from a loan and I like to develop from within. But he has hardly trained because he has been injured as well.
‘We want to ensure that we have cover. It is a case of slowing the thinking, having a look at it and seeing if we need to bring one in.
‘My job is to do the best for Celtic, which is to win games. I need to try to find a way to do that.’