Dedryck Boyata took the cryptic approach post-match today as he discussed his Celtic contract situation.
The Belgian centre-back has finally sealed a move away from Parkhead. His new move will take him to Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin next season. It’s a massive step-up in terms of the league Boyata will now be playing in, but certainly not in club stature.
And the former Manchester City man has been tainted with his actions earlier this season. It was reported by the Scottish Sun that Boyata had refused to play for Celtic against AEK Athens. The defender’s agent Jacques Lichtenstein then said that signing for Celtic “wasn’t an option”.
Boyata wouldn’t feature in Athens right enough, but did go on to make 38 appearances for club and country this term. And speaking to Sky Sports Football’s live broadcast of Celtic vs Hearts (19th May, 14:30), Boyata claims he doesn’t deserve to be the baddie in the saga.
“Yeah there were some positions (in the summer to move). But I’m finding myself in a position where I’m being the bad guy. If people only knew the truth it would be different.
“For me, I spoke with the manager and everybody and said I’ll be in a position to stay if the team would agree what we wanted. But until today I still haven’t gotten what I wanted. But anyway, I spent very good moments here and I’m enjoying it right now.”
Difficult to know what to take from it
Boyata wasn’t giving too much away here. It seems to be a thinly veiled dig at the club. How it comes across is that the Belgian would’ve been open to a new contract if the club met his demands.
But at the end of the day, there is only so much the club can afford and should offer Boyata. If he didn’t feel it was enough, then this is unfortunately the situation we now find ourselves in.
Today is a day for title talk, however. Boyata was a key part of the run to a potential treble-treble. He came in from the cold under Brendan Rodgers and has been a rock for us in the majority of matches he’s played.
His influence here shouldn’t be underestimated. For large spells under Rodgers, Boyata was our most dominant and reliable centre-back. Sure he had a mistake in him, but so do all of our defenders.
Boyata will likely leave with many’s best wishes. Here’s hoping he can make a name for himself in the Bundesliga next season.
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