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Celtic: Brendan Rodgers says Dedryck Boyata could 'absolutely' play against Suduva

Last updated on .From the section Celticcomments56

Moussa Dembele scores for Celtic against Partick Thistle
Dedryck Boyata sat out Celtic's Scottish League Cup win over Partick Thistle

Celticc manager Brendan Rodgers says Dedryck Boyata could "absolutely" be back in his team for Thursday's Europa League play-off against Suduva.

The Belgium defender, 27, was missing as Celtic were eliminated from the Champions League by AEK Athens. He claimed he was injured, although boss Rodgers said he was fit to play.

Boyata trained with the under-20s on Saturday while Celtic beat Partick Thistle in their League Cup tie.

"I know he's a good guy," Rodgers said.

"I had a long chat with Dedryck the other day. We have created a wee bit of distance from what happened last week.

"Everyone makes a mistake. 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."

Following the 3-1 Firhill victory that propelled Celtic into the League Cup last eight, Rodgers accused "some people" of trying to "dismantle" his relationship with the club's board.

After missing out on long-time transfer target John McGinn, Celtic's defeat by Athens meant they failed to reach the Champions League group stage and suffered successive losses for the first time under his stewardship.

Rodgers said the transfer situation was "very simple".

Speaking to BT Sport, he said: "We've had a couple of targets we haven't been able to get.

"But I've always had a very, very good relationship with the board and that's the same, even though some people will try to dismantle that.

"We want to improve the team and we've got 'til the end of August to do that. If we don't, I work with the talented players we have here."

Two goals in two minutes from Moussa Dembele and Tom Rogic ensured Celtic progressed to the quarter-finals with victory at Firhill, after Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo had cancelled out Leigh Griffiths' opener.

Rodgers admits his side "didn't play well" but was pleased to end a "difficult week" with a win.

"I was more concerned with our performance," the Celtic boss, who has guided the club to back-to-back domestic trebles, told BBC Scotland.

"Our pressing was too passive and our identity is very much around aggression and intensity in our press and we were nowhere near that.

"It's been a brilliant couple of seasons here and we can still have that this season. But on the back of a long week, it's something that can prey on the players' mind but this will be good for their confidence."

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56 comments

  • Comment posted by Wee Brian, at 11:07 19 Aug 2018

    @1: Ozil Gummidge

    That was a lengthy account of your own lack of knowledge of European football. Suduva are from Lithuania. They have been competing regularly in Europe since 2002 when Celtic knocked them out of the UEFA Cup on their way to the final. And by the way, they’ve played a helluva lot more European matches than Burnley.

  • Comment posted by Missinginstereo, at 11:38 19 Aug 2018

    Boyata has zero class. Yet another bang average championship player like Ayew throwing the toys out of the pram despite being on enough money to retire already.
    The game has gone to the dogs when nonsense like that happens and champions of nations cannot get into the champions league.

  • Comment posted by JLGillan, at 11:39 19 Aug 2018

    The annoying thing for me will be to hear those fans who will say "anyone who puts on the hoops and steps on the park will have my backing 100%".

    He should be booed off the park if he plays at Parkhead again and the club have an opportunity to set a benchmark here re. modern footballers by taking the financial hit of not selling and letting him run down his contract training in his back garden.

  • Comment posted by andy-mu, at 11:18 19 Aug 2018

    I know the rangers celtic debate is a strong one. We should hope every scottish team in Europe does well. Hibs did well. European football is an opportunity to represent Scotland.

  • Comment posted by kev1888, at 13:09 19 Aug 2018

    Sell him , he's not as good as he thinks he is lol

  • Comment posted by U17041293, at 17:27 19 Aug 2018

    Play Gamboa and move Lustig in one until Celtic sign a quality CB, Boyota must be punted although it will be like losing two men...Laurel and Hardy!

  • Comment posted by U17041293, at 17:18 19 Aug 2018

    '@37,

    You lot are going back in your box on September second

  • Comment posted by U15618491, at 14:04 19 Aug 2018

    Just like to say Izaguirre played a game and a half against Partick.

  • Comment posted by AL, at 12:24 19 Aug 2018

    He should have been sold to Fulham so I think we need to sell him now to anybody who will pay the 9 million. Players like that are a disruptive influence on the squad and his concentration levels have always been suspect. Get rid of him.

  • Comment posted by DaveP1982, at 11:01 19 Aug 2018

    1 I've been going to football longer than that and when it comes to the early rounds of the Europa league I haven't heard of half the teams! It doesn't seem right that a club like Celtic, having made CL group stages in recent times, should have to play the 1st couple of qualifying rounds (& I'm not a Celtic fan)

  • Comment posted by U16700934, at 14:38 19 Aug 2018

    Over inflated opinion of himself as a player who's not fit to wear the hoops. A thoughtless player at times who always has a huge mistake in him if put under pressure. Take the money ...no way back.

  • Comment posted by KB, at 12:54 19 Aug 2018

    I'm not a Celtic fan however, I hope this will be a simple walk for Celtic into the next round. I'm disappointed that we lost Aberdeen and Hibs, but let's hope the old firm can do something this year and return some respect to our League.

  • Comment posted by U16357667, at 12:41 19 Aug 2018

    23 - except for the years they qualified for the last 16 or the EL, not bad for a team from such a wee country

  • Comment posted by U15661523, at 12:22 19 Aug 2018

    Let boyata rot in the reserves until his contract runs out.
    Sick of all the primadonnas in the game now.

  • Comment posted by U16650765, at 11:00 19 Aug 2018

    Somebody is lying.

  • Comment posted by U16806115, at 20:16 19 Aug 2018

    I gather you are from the superior English League. Well if you are then your league will land with a bang when Sky gets bought over. It’s a matter of time before that happens and then they will rethink about the £billions they are wasting.

  • Comment posted by U15661523, at 14:30 19 Aug 2018

    #1

    Stick to HYS comments on your own overpriced english league & leave the real undiluted football to the men.
    Run along now............

  • Comment posted by U15618491, at 14:00 19 Aug 2018

    Give the shirt to a player that wants to play and play for Celtic ! Boyata or not.

    If he wants another chance fine , but as a sub.

  • Comment posted by U16805582, at 12:22 19 Aug 2018

    @1 "I couldn't for the life of me say what league they play in or what country"

    I am sure this a quote from the Olympiakos Manager after they were drawn with the titans of European football Burnley.

  • Comment posted by You, at 12:07 19 Aug 2018

    #13 and that will do the team no could whatsoever. A classic case of cutting your nose off to spite your face.

    Face facts, modern footballers have all the power since Bosman and they can do as they please. He's been in Scotland longer than he probably thought he'd be. Even Armstrong said he was fed up playing the Hamilton's and Dundee's of this world. 4 times a season minimum is too much.

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