Dedryck Boyata is set to make his return to full fitness for Celtic in the near future.
Brendan Rodgers has confirmed to the Scottish Sun that he wants to keep Dedryck Boyata at Celtic.
Boyata’s current deal with the Bhoys expires at the end of this season, but Rodgers does not want to risk running the Belgian defender’s deal down.
Instead, Celtic plan on offering the powerful centre-back a new deal in the near future.
“Dedryck is certainly one I’ll be looking to keep, so that’s something we will be looking at,” Rodgers said, upon Boyata’s return to the first-team fold.
“It’s nice to have him back. Since the turn of the year and the trip to Dubai he has been brilliant with me.
“It’s a big year for him with Belgium and the World Cup coming up. We want to build him up and help him be involved in that.
“I always like to have a centre-half with real speed. Dedryck’s been back working hard in training for a few weeks, the next step for him is to get game time.”
Boyata has been out for the most of the season so far with injury, but could return to action with Celtic very shortly.
Boyata hitting full fitness is a major boost for the Bhoys, and should increase Rodgers’ defensive options.
Celtic have been forced to try out players out of position at centre-back at times this season, but the Bhoys have still protected their unbeaten record.
Boyata could now be fit in time to play in the Old-Firm derby against Rangers, which comes this weekend.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
