Dedryck Boyata is thriving away from Celtic it seems.
It’s probably fair to say that Celtic haven’t missed Dedryck Boyata all that much.
Christopher Jullien, a £7 million signing last summer, has formed a brilliant centre-back partnership with Kristoffer Ajer, while the likes of fit-again Jozo Simunovic and Nir Bitton are admirable deputies.
But it looks like Boyata isn’t missing Celtic that much either.
The Belgium international joined Hertha Berlin on a Bosman last summer after four years in Glasgow.
And, according to his manager Jurgen Klinsmann, the 29-year-old is among Europe’s finest defenders right now.
The former Manchester City ace has played 15 Bundesliga games for the German side this season, scoring once.
Here’s what Klinsmann said about the former Celtic star, via The Scottish Sun: “For me, Dedryck Boyata is one of Europe’s best defenders at the moment. He’s at the top of his game and he’s been absolutely terrific for me. Since I arrived here, at every training session and every game he’s been inspirational.”
It’ll probably still irk the Hoops’ chief executive Peter Lawwell that he lost Boyata for free.
Eleven months before leaving, Celtic – then managed by Brendan Rodgers – turned down a £9 million bid from Fulham for the big centre-half which, in hindsight, looks a mistake.
That being said, perhaps the Bhoys might not have won a third successive treble last season without Boyata at the heart of their defence, and you can’t put a price on history.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
