Dedryck Boyata has become an important part of Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side lately.
Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata has told the Scottish Sun that he trained on his own to force his way into Brendan Rodgers’ plans.
Boyata appeared miles away from Celtic’s first-team in the early part of the season, with Rodgers regularly overlooking the centre-back.
However, the former Manchester City defender has become a key part of Celtic’s starting line-up in recent months.
And Boyata claims that he was going through late night training sessions on his own to try to impress the management staff at Celtic Park.
“What happened was that I came into the training ground at 11pm,” Boyata said. “I live 10 minutes away, I had a late session and was there until 1am.
“It’s unbelievable but it’s true. We played a game at 3pm and I was on the bench and didn’t play, so I came home around 7pm, had some food and then went to the training ground.
“I had to do it because I wasn’t fit enough. When you don’t play you need to work on your fitness.
“When I told the story the backroom staff went to find the security guy to ask if I was telling the truth! He writes everything down so he was able to back me up.”
Boyata is one of a number of Celtic players who seem to have improved dramatically under Rodgers’ guidance.
Boyata once looked shaky and unsteady in defence, but he has been rock solid ever since breaking into Celtic’s starting line-up this season.
The Belgian defender has played his part as the Bhoys have completed the treble.
Celtic beat Aberdeen last weekend to ensure that they finished the domestic season unbeaten in all competitions.
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