Do Papadopoulos rumours signal the end for Boyata at Celtic?

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Celtic are being linked with Hamburg’s Greek international centre-half Kyriakos Papadopoulos.

Yesterday, rumours emerged of Celtic’s interest in Hamburg centre-half Kyriakos Papadopoulos. The 28-year-old Greek international appears set to leave the Bundesliga club in the summer, with the Hoops emerging as one of the most likely suitors.

Despite signing two centre-backs in January in Jack Hendry and Marvin Compper, Brendan Rodgers’ defensive woes continue to drag on.

Compper, 32, was injured shortly after arriving at the club and only made his debut a couple of weeks ago, Hendry has had limited game time thus far, while Dedryk Boyata faced a period on the sidelines earlier this year.

As a result, the Hoops are evidently still on the lookout to reinforce in that area but, with five senior centre-backs at their disposal now, if the Bhoys capture Papadopoulus it could spell the end for one of their existing players.

Rodgers’ interest in the Greek international dates back to his time at Liverpool, when he was keen on bringing the player to Anfield only to secure the services of Mamadou Sakho instead.

A two-time winner of the Greek Superleague with Olympiacos, Papadopoulos is familiar with winning which should stand him in good stead for a career at Celtic Park. The 28-year-old has played for some fine clubs in his time in Olympiacos, Schalke 04 and Bayer Levekusen and would no doubt slot in nicely to Rodgers’ squad. But who will most likely make way to free space for him?

For many Hoops fans, Boyata’s display against Rangers last weekend will have been the final straw. The Belgian has had his fair share of shaky performances in the green and white but, having been at fault directly for Josh Windass’s early opener, the 27-year-old made a number of errors and should be thanking the likes of Moussa Dembele and Odsonne Edouard for saving his skin by salvaging a result for the team.

You simply cannot make those kinds of mistakes at this level of football, especially not in a game of that magnitude, and a loss could have potentially destroyed Celtic’s season. Not many fans will be wanting to see Boyata start in such an important game ever again.

It may just be a coincidence that the Papadopoulos rumours have arisen in the wake of Boyata’s performance, but with Hendry and Compper having signed less than half a year ago, and Kristoffer Ajer and Jozo Simunovic demonstrating their class, both at still a relatively young age, it feels like the writing is finally on the wall for Boyata.