The Celtic centre-back caught the eye against Albion Rovers. But, then again, it was Albion Rovers.
Brendan Rodgers may be a respected, intelligent tactician with two of the most historic clubs in British football on his CV but, on occasions, his overly-effusive praise can come back to bite him on the backside. Joe Allen, after all, will forever be referred to as the Carmarthen-born alternative to a certain Catalan legend.
Therefore, it’s impossible not to take his comments on the future of Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata with a pinch of salt.
“Dedryck Boyata also looked very promising too. He looked like the young player I saw at Manchester City,” Rodgers said after the weekend’s Scottish Cup stroll against Albion Rovers, as reported by the Daily Record. “I seen him play against Didier Drogba when he was a really young player and he was fantastic.
“He can still be a player for me. He has all the attributes that I love.”
Cynics will point to the fact that Rodgers was equally gushing over the talents of Gary Mackay-Steven and Scott Allan. The former remains conspicuous by his absence, failing to get off the bench at the weekend, while the latter has recently joined MK Dons on loan.
And is a cup tie against Albion Rovers, the club seventh in the Scottish third tier, really an indication that a defender could still mix it against Drogba in his prime? Boyata certainly impressed in only his second appearance of the season on Sunday but, in truth, he is unlikely to come up against weaker opposition in Celtic colours.
Throughout last season, his first at Celtic Park, his galling lapses in concentration offered opponents hope. There’s a reason why he’s been frozen out until now.
Nonetheless, Rodgers’ comments suggest links with Anderlecht, as reported by Voetball Krant, will come to nothing.
Although, as recent history suggests, his praise should be consumed with a hefty pinch of salt.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
