CHRIS DAVIES didn’t just provide an update on the Dedryck Boyata situation today. We covered that earlier – see HERE.
Celtic’s Assistant Manager also spoke about the challenge of getting the side back on track after the first real set-back that the. management team have suffered in just over two years at the club.
And Brendan’s right hand man also denied that there was any division between the manager and the board – despite what we have all read in the media.
“Brendan has no breakdown there. He’s fine and is working closely with board as always. There’s no issue,” Davies confirmed.
“We’ve been here two years and it’s the first setback we’ve probably had. Brendan is dealing with it. We’ve had a bit of negativity in the past couple of weeks and that’s something Brendan is used to – he has dealt with that as a manager.
“There’s no fallout with the board or big fractures within the club. It’s a story the media are trying to generate, but it’s not there. We’re fine. Brendan is working with the board and he’s in dialogue with them, as ever.
“What I can tell you now is that we won’t let this negativity be created and start holding us back. What we’ve done is the past two years has been incredible, in terms of domestic trophies and qualifying for the Champions League.
“I can tell you in terms of working with Brendan – and I speak to him every day about various things – that’s there’s no issue. There’s no problem. He’s thinking about leading the team and we, as a club, will come through this stronger and better,” Davies continued.
“There’s no chance this negativity will hold us back or stop us in any way. What we have to do, as you do in football, is to stay resilient, learn from your experiences and come back stronger with optimism for the future. And that’s what we’re going to do.”
Turning his attention to tomorrow’s Betfred Cup tie at Firhill, Davies has plenty of respect for Partick Thistle but believes that there is a determination among the squad to defend the trophy.
“We’re the holders and we’re defending our trophy. Partick are a team who I thought were a decent side when we played against them in the league, and I was surprised that they ended up getting sucked into a relegation battle last year.
“They have some good players, they have a good coach and it’s a difficult place to go away from home. We’re not going to have any complacency there. We have to go, be fully focused and do a job,” the Assistant Manager said.
Davies also had a word for the new arrival at the club today. Australian teenager Daniel Arzani signed a two year loan deal from Manchester City earlier today – see HERE.
“Daniel is a talent who featured at the World Cup. He’s a winger/attacking player and skilful and someone who’s quite direct. He’s young and someone we’ve brought into develop, and hopefully we can see the best of him,” he said.
Davies, who confirmed that neither Arzani nor Boyata would be involved tomorrow gave this further update on team news for tomorrow.
“Odsonne Edouard has a knock so he’s not going to be available tomorrow. I’m not sure exactly when he’ll come back into contention but he’s still a little while away yet.”
