Dedryck Boyata’s World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread for Belgium.
Celtic centre-back Dedryck Boyata faces the biggest two months of his career as he bids to earn a place in Belgium’s World Cup squad.
Boyata has been part of the Belgium set up for recent friendlies, but it has not gone well.
He made a rare start for the Red Devils in a friendly match against Mexico last Autumn but his performance was panned as Belgium conceded three goals in an entertaining 3-3 draw.
Despite shaky form for Celtic, Boyata retained his place in their latest squad, and he was keen to atone for his previous match.
He told Het Laaste Nieuws last week: “We focus on the match against Saudi Arabia. That will be a very important match, in which we as a team can refine a few things.
“I already hope for playing minutes.”
But Boyata was left disappointed.
He was left sat on the bench, an unused substitute as Belgium won 4-0, despite manager Roberto Martinez making six substitutions.
Belgium had picked a 28 man squad and when that gets cut to 23 at the World Cup, Boyata’s place will be at risk.
He is running out of time to make an impression, and he knows how painful not being selected can be.
Boyata was omitted from Belgium’s Euro 2016 squad at the last hurdle.
History is at risk of repeating itself, and he will head back to Celtic with disappointment at not getting a chance to prove himself.
If he can use this worry to fuel an improvement in his performances, both Celtic and Belgium will be winners, but the centre-back’s World Cup hopes are balancing precariously.
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