Dedryck Boyata earns the plaudits of Celtic support after Kilmarnock display

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The Dedryck Boyata performance is being recognised by supporters as he cruised the win at Kilmarnock.

Celtic moved eight points clear at the top of the Premiership yesterday thanks to the 1-0 success. Yet, despite that, not many would’ve received pass marks for their performances.

The electric Jonny Hayes was a terrific influence, and Callum McGregor always looked to make things happen. But it was Boyata that many fans looked to turn their praise towards yesterday.

The big Belgian put in one of his best performances in a Celtic jersey against a tough opponent. Giving immediate reaction to his display, supporters subsequently had this to say on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/punjabicsc/status/1097345211594932224

https://twitter.com/byars_paul/status/1097395321636827136

https://twitter.com/SMCA19882/status/1097379162485084160

https://twitter.com/harrisonnkeir/status/1097262798042742784

Stood up to be counted on a massive day

There’s no denying Boyata owed the Celtic fans a big performance. We said it before the Valencia game, and he turned out to perform poorly in that one. Yesterday, however, he was an absolute brick wall.

Nothing got past the towering Belgian at the back. Despite the grafting nature of both Eamonn Brophy and Conor McAleny, neither of the duo could get any joy from Boyata.

This was most evident in injury time. After Celtic had scored their goal and had four minutes of added time to deal with (which Bobby Madden decided to make five), Boyata subsequently came into his own. He made several stretching clearances and towering headers away to preserve Celtic’s lead.

The one thing that was labelled at Boyata by supporters after THAT AEK Athens debacle, was that he wasn’t committed enough for the cause.

But yesterday, he more than proved that wasn’t the case. On a plastic pitch, he wasn’t shirking anything and therefore did all he could to get Celtic over the line. Performances like that help to ease his previous misdemeanours.

It remains to be seen how his contract situation plays out. Having played 31 appearances for club and country this season, however, Boyata is clearly a key part of Brendan Rodgers’ side.