The Sunday Mail doorstepped Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata yesterday and the Belgian gave the red top hacks some time rather than telling them to do one.
Had Boyata thrown his fitness table at them and posted proving he’s now fit by chasing them down the street on his Instagram account, then he would have gone a little bit down the road to Redemption with the Celtic support.
Leigh Griffiths has opened the door to the a warm welcome for the Belgian in the Celtic changing room – see HERE – but the journey to forgiveness among the support is going to be a much longer, and more painful one for the player, if he stays around that long.
You must consider the theory that he’ll play to help us get into the Europa League and to allow Celtic to sell before the Spanish window closes at the end of the month at a decent price. If he was excluded from the squad in the meantime we would have Jack Hendry playing in defence on Lithuania and would most likely lose millions on the transfer fee for a player on strike.
Maybe not, maybe he’ll sign a new deal and all will be well. Maybe parrots do sing the Kieran Tierney song.
Parrot singing Kieran Tierney ???????????? video credit @wee_kezza pic.twitter.com/fbbtEGceUo
— tam sellics son (@gibbygibbo1) August 18, 2018
Anyway here’s what Boyata had to say for himself when doorstepped yesterday.
“I’m feeling good, I’m strong and I’ll be training on Monday. One thing you need to know is that things with the boys are good. There are no problems there.
“I have no issues with the fans or my team-mates.”
Yesterday Brendan Rodgers gave an update on the Boyata situation.
“I had a long chat with Dedryck and he’s still a Celtic player.
“I want him to be involved and I know he’s a good guy. Everyone makes mistakes and, even though it’s not the way in modern life, people need a chance to redeem themselves.
“If that’s the case, I’d like to have him involved again because he’s a top class player.
“Has he apologised? Whatever has been said will be kept internal but before
anyone will join the group, that will have to be the case, to staff and players.
“So if you take it that he’ll join the group, that will be the case. The players will accept him back because they’re an honest group. They are winners, they’re always demanding but they’re humble.
“Last week we wanted players and some weren’t available for a number of reasons. But this is a group that’s very much together. The collective spirit is very strong, it’s something we’ll continue to have.
“He’ll be involved this week? Absolutely. It was raw for everyone last week, the team and the supporters. But I’ve been in this situation before with Suarez at Liverpool and that worked out OK so I’m pretty sure this will be as well.
“It was important to have the discussion with him.
“After the Champions League there was anger and frustration but it’s important to stay calm and remember how Dedryck has been for me. It wasn’t just about him, other people were around the situation.
“We’ve had a couple of days to keep at arm’s length and we’ll sit down again on
Monday. I’m pretty sure he’ll be back with the squad.
“Everything is clean and we move forward. He’s an outstanding player and we want our best players available to us.
“Redemption always takes a wee bit of time. The Celtic supporters are demanding but they accept well and if Dedryck puts the shirt on again, I know he’ll be committed as ever.
“If you show that to the Celtic support, they will always be behind you.”
Last night David Potter outlined his views on the matter on The Celtic Star – see HERE.
Hopefully Leigh Griffiths, KT, Broony or one of the other Bhoys will have this playing as Boyata walks through the door on Monday…
