Celtic defender wins praise.
Celtic centre-back Dedryck Boyata has been praised by Belgium boss Roberto Martinez for his performance against Russia.
Boyata featured in a 3-1 home victory as Belgium got their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign off to an ideal start.
Russia reached the World Cup quarter-finals on home turf last summer and presented a stern challenge to a much changed Belgium team.
Martinez told Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad he was satisfied with how Boyata played.
He said: “I chose Boyata now and he did well in defense. He had a difficult opponent with Dzyuba.”
Despite this, Boyata is at risk of missing out next week.
Martinez is open to using Thomas Vermaelen in Belgium’s next march instead.
He added: “I did not draft Vermaelen because we have to be careful with him.
“Vermaelen cannot immediately play two games in a week after his seven-week injury. We will need him in Cyprus.”
It might not be so bad if Boyata does miss out next week.
Celtic have an important game against Rangers on March 31 against Rangers.
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