Davie Provan comments on Dedryck Boyata’s situation at Celtic

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Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata looks set to leave the club.

Pundit Davie Provan has told The Scottish Sun that he thinks Dedryck Boyata should be thankful to Celtic for rejecting Fulham’s bid last summer – and believes there’s no chance of him staying.

Boyata, 28, joined Celtic from Manchester City in 2015, and whilst he struggled early on at Parkhead, he really progress under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers.

The Belgian has racked up close to 150 appearances for Celtic and even featured for Belgium at the World Cup last summer in a major step for the centre back.

However, Boyata attempted to force through a move away from Celtic last summer, refusing to play for the Bhoys in their Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens – a game which Celtic lost, costing them a Champions League group stage spot.

Celtic knew that Boyata would be free to walk away at the end of the season, as his contract expires this summer, but still rejected a bid from Premier League side Fulham for his services.

Now, The Scottish Sun claim that Boyata will be signing for Hertha Berlin on a free transfer, earning around £40,000-a-week in a bumper move to Germany.

Pundit and former Celtic winger Provan has now suggested that Celtic did Boyata a huge favour rejecting Fulham’s bid, as rather than suffering relegation to the Championship, he’ll now be earning big money in Germany – even though Celtic should have cashed in.

Last week, Celtic interim boss Lennon admitted to BBC he was hopeful Boyata would stay, but Provan mocked that stance, suggesting pigs will fly before the defender commits his future to Celtic.

“What a favour Celtic did Dedryck Boyata last summer,” said Provan. “When the Hoops should have taken Fulham’s £10million for the defender, they allowed him to run down his contract instead. Now, instead of a year in the Championship with the relegated London outfit, Boyata is set for a money-spinning move to Hertha Berlin.”

“Despite refusing to pull on the boots for Brendan Rodgers in Athens, Neil Lennon is hopeful Boyata will stay with Celtic. Pigs will fly first,” he added.