DEDRYCK BOYATA may be taking a few people by surprise by his solid displays at the heart of the Belgium defence at the World Cup, but not Brendan Rodgers.
The Celtic manager has done more than most to develop the player who was out in the cold when Rodgers arrived at the club, low in confidence, carrying an injury from THAT semi-final defeat and generally out of favour with the Celtic support.
He got one game in the first half of the Invincible season – down at Rugby Park on the plastic and that was it. When we started up again after the winter break, in a Scottish Cup tie against Albion Rovers, Rodgers brought him into the team.
No-one could have predicted that afternoon in Airdrie, that we were watching a central defender that would go on to be the ONLY outfield player to pay every minute of Belgium’s group stage matches at the World Cup, recording three wins including one over England and would be up there as among the favourites to actually lift the trophy in a few weeks time.
Brendan Rodgers was looking back at all of this yesterday as he considered the development of the Belgian at Celtic.
“If you look at the value of Dedryck, he has top-level attributes. Like every player, he won’t be perfect in every game. But when I came in, I felt that if I could get him fit, he would do well,” Brendan said.
“He missed the qualifying games and I was pretty clear with Dedryck. I told him how good I thought he could be – but he had to play to his strengths. He had to keep things simple and then he did well against Kilmarnock in a game.
“It was an evening kick-off on the astro and then he sat out for a few games. But when we went to Dubai for a mid-season camp, he was fantastic.
“That’s why training is so important. Dedryck showed he was ready to push on and he got into the team.
“You see in games like the England one that he is strong, quick and aggressive. When he’s concentrated, he’s a top-class centre half and he’s at a good age. We would love to keep him.
“It’s not always the player, it’s always the player and the club. He’s at an age in his life where he’s made great strides in the last couple of years. He’s now in the position that he is and Celtic have helped him get into that position. He’s also helped himself by playing to that level.
“If he’s training and working with us, I want him to be the best he can for Celtic.
“Hopefully, he can get something organised with the club, because he would be a brilliant signing. But, if not, then we have to wait and see on that.
“He has everything needed to be a top-class centre-half. Whatever the thoughts were on Dedryck before the World Cup, he’s added real value.
“People will sit up and take notice of his performances.”
Boyata left for his holidays immeidately after the Scottish Cup celebrations in May, not knowing whether he’d make the cut for Russia. He said that he was happy to stay at Celtic and would look to sign his new contract on his return.
Things have gone very well for the player since then – Roberto Martinez had seen enough and knew that Boyata played at Celtic in a system similar to the one Belgium would use in Russia. So his name was added to that mattress.
And rather being happy to be a squad player, Boyata has played more football that the rest of the outfield players in the squad. As Brendan said, people will sit up and take notice.
Yesterday Big John Harrison reckoned that Boyata could be a £50million player given his showing in Russia, but with only one year left on his contract, interested clubs will know that Celtic will not be able to command that type of fee should the player decide that he does not want to sign his new contract at Celtic.
At that stage, as we have stated repeatedly on The Celtic Star, he will be sold.
It’s going to be Dedryck’s decision.
