We have just suggested that Dedryck Boyata is likely to play in Lithuania on Thursday night in the Europa League Play-off against SK Suduva – see HERE.
Brendan Rodgers was asked this question this afternoon – could Boyata play on Thursday and the manager was emphatic, saying “ABSOLUTELY!”
The manager continued to explain where he is at with the Boyata situation.
“I had a long chat with Dedryck the other day,” Brendan said.
“We have created a wee bit of distance from what happened last week.
“We will look at that over the weekend but Dedryck is still a Celtic player and I want to have him involved.
“He has been with us a couple of years. I know he is a good guy.
“Everyone makes a mistake but if there is a mistake made, I know sometimes it is not the way in the modern life, but people need a chance to redeem themselves and I would like to have him involved because he is a top-class player.”
The manager was asked of Boyata had offered his apologies for the events of last week and in a roundabout way confirmed that the Belgian will have to say sorry to the staff and his team-mates before things can move forward.
“Whatever has been said is obviously internal but of course, before anyone will join the group that will always have to be the case, to staff and to players.
“When he joins the group that will be the case.”
Whether that will be enough to get him back onside with the staff and players remains to be seen. However the situation with the supporters is going to be a different thing entirely, so obviously re-introducing Boyata when the Celtic support will be tiny on Thursday night would make sense.
The manager knows that it is a big ask but he is going to try to get the supporters to back him on this one.
“Redemption always takes a wee bit of time,” Brendan said.
“The Celtic supporters are demanding supporters but they also accept as well and if Dedryck puts on the shirt again, and I know he will be as committed as ever, and if you show that commitment, the Celtic support will always be behind you.”
That is a big ask from the manager, a very big ask.
