‘We can’t say that Boyata will be leaving the club,’ Davies

DEDRYCK BOYATA will not be involved tomorrow as Celtic travel across the city to play Partick Thistle in the League Cup. The Belgian defender is fit but will instead train with the Celtic Development squad while the first team is playing at Firhill.

And there is no guarantee that Boyata will be away from the club before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Chris Davies, the Celtic assistant manager, stood in for Brendan Rodgers today ahead of tomorrow’s game against Thistle in the Betfred Cup.

Celtic crashed out of the Champions League in midweek after conceding two awful goals. All that happened while Boyata was back in Glasgow having refused to play. much to the rage of the Celtic support and the disappointment/anger of his Celtic team-mates.

Boyata let everyone down and there can be no way back for him. He was nowhere to be seen at the training ground at Lennoxtown this morning, as work goes on behind the scenes to sort out a transfer.

Celtic must be kicking themselves for rejecting one offer from Fulham and making it known to the English Premier League side that submitting a second, improved offer was futile.

Today Chris Davies confirmed that Boyata has spoken to Brendan Rodgers and is to train with the Development Squad on Saturday rather than be involved at Firhill.

“Dedryck has had a long chat with the manager. It is an unfortunate situation. We can’t change what happened.

“There was a frustration obviously and the manager is managing the situation and Dedryck won’t be involved tomorrow obviously.

“There is no point vilifying anybody or blaming one individual. The situation as it stands is open and we will see what happens.

“Obviously there has been a lot of frustration from the supporters and Brendan addressed it at the time but as it stands he is still a Celtic player and that may well be the case when the window shuts.

“So we can’t say he will be leaving the club.”

Boyata will NEVER be forgiven by the support and if we can be a fickle, emotional bunch then perhaps the Belgian should read what former Celtic stars, of real class, had to saw about him.

Let’s start with Big John Hartson: “He’s gone to the World Cup, Celtic have tried to tie him down on a long-term contract, he did well with Belgium, has come back and his head’s been turned. His manager’s confirmed he’s fit and he should be in the travelling party.”

Chris Sutton was just as critical. “Boyata has let down Brendan Rodgers. I think he’s a disgrace.

“Big Jock Stein said Celtic jerseys are not for second best, they do not shrink to fit inferior players.

“There is now way back for Boyata now. They shouldn’t let him back in the building. Punt him, get him out of the club.”

And Stan Petrov joined in. “It’s really sad to see. When you’re a footballer you like to play for a club like Celtic, you like to perform at the highest level.

“It doesn’t matter where you are, if you do it here, you can do it somewhere else, it goes without saying.

“At the end of the day, you spend every day in the dressing room with these boys.

“You owe it to the team. It’s a big moment for the club. If I’m a team-mate and you do something like that, I’m sorry I don’t want you in the team.”

Bertie Auld was also extremely critical in an interview given to The Scottish Sun.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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