Boyata retains place in Belgium squad despite howler against Rangers

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Celtic centre-half Dedryk Boyata has been named in the Belgium squad and finds himself alongside some fine company in his position.

Celtic fans will have been surprised to hear the news of Dedryk Boyata’s call-up to the Belgium national team for the upcoming international break.

The 27-year-old was heavily criticised after Celtic’s victory over Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday after making some costly errors. In fairness to the defender, the Old Firm clash was his first game in quite some time, having only recently returned from an injury lay off, and it was perhaps slightly rash of Brendan Rodgers to throw Boyata straight into a game of such importance.

Nevertheless, as a player dubbed the club’s number one defender according to his coach, Celtic fans would have expected a stronger performance from the former Manchester City man, regardless of the injury lay-off he has just returned from.

In the Belgium squad, Boyata was named alongside the likes of Barcelona’s Thomas Vermaelen, Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, and Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany, making it seem even more ridiculous that the Celtic star has been included given his poor form.

One thing the Belgian should be wary of, however, is being exposed even further at international level. Making mistakes in the Scottish Premiership is poor enough, given the gulf in quality between Celtic and the rest of the league. However at a World Cup, mistakes such as the one Boyata made which led to Josh Windass’s early opener last Sunday are enough to ruin a career.

In spite of this, Boyata’s inclusion in Roberto Martinez’s squad is testament to how highly rated the centre-back really is, similarly with Rodgers’ decision to throw him into the starting line-up against Rangers no questions asked.

Boyata has demonstrated serious quality at times throughout his career, and has no doubt put in as many fine performances in a Celtic shirt as he has poor ones. However, it is mistakes which goalkeepers and defenders can become famous for.