Few expected the Belgian centre-back to still be a Celtic player beyond January, let alone become a major part of Brendan Rodgers’ plans.
It has been quite some turnaround for Dedryck Boyata at Celtic. From outcast earlier in the season, the 26-year-old has not missed a single minute in each of the Bhoys’ last four league fixtures, scoring the winners against both St. Johnstone and Aberdeen.
Who saw this coming? According to the Daily Record, the former Manchester City youngster turned down offers from Anderlecht, Werder Bremen and Hull City to fight for his place at Parkhead – a decision that would have appeared to border on the delusional just a few weeks ago.
The Tigers were in vital need of new centre-halves in the mid-season window, alhough the arrival of Andrea Ranocchia appears to have plugged that particular gap.
Now, Brendan Rodgers cannot get enough of his Belgian battering ram Boyata.
“He has been getting better,” he told the BBC. “He has the tools to be a top-class centre-half and at the moment he is producing those performances.
And Boyata has admitted that earning his place back in the Belgian national team played a major factor in his decision to remain in green and white.
The powerful defender has won two caps since making his name at the Etihad Stadium; his second in March 2016 coming six years after his first, although that was not enough to earn him a place in Marc Wilmot’s European Championship squad.
Report: Exciting talent will turn down Champions League regulars to secure Celtic move
“Someone from the Belgian FA watched me against Kilmarnock in November,” Boyata told the Daily Record. “I think about playing for Belgium. Missing out on the Euros was very hard for me.”
He certainly stands a better chance at Parkhead, with Champions League football on the agenda and league titles on his CV.
Reported Celtic target would have thrived at Parkhead; instead he appears China-bound
That certainly looks a lot more impressive than simply avoiding relegation with Hull or Bremen.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
