Dedryck Boyata’s transfer saga will likely see him leave in the summer, but he owes Celtic fans a huge performance first.
The Belgian’s contract is up at the end of the season. That means tonight’s clash with Valencia could be his final European clash at Celtic Park.
And given the behaviour of both him and his agent Jacques Lichtenstein over the course of the season, Boyata owes Celtic fans a huge performance tonight.
Let’s have a recap of what’s happened with the centre-back throughout the campaign.
Firstly, just as Celtic needed him most, he decided to sit out the AEK Athens game. He simply refused to play in the game amid a transfer saga.
Lichtenstein then said that Celtic hadn’t kept their promises to Boyata. The Belgian, of course, denied the idea that he refused to play. But Brendan Rodgers had claimed he was fit.
Lack of awareness from Boyata
After being initially accepted back into the Celtic ranks in grudging fashion, Boyata was at it again.
At the end of last year, the centre-back teased supporters about signing a new contract. This came through a video on one of Boyata’s social media accounts, where he makes a clear reference to signing something.
Whether he meant it or not, he must have had the awareness to understand fans would’ve gotten excited.
Yet the notion was once again soon shot in flames by his agent. Lichtenstein has claimed that Boyata will definitely leave the club at the end of the season. Signing a new contract with the Hoops is “not an option”, according to the agent.
It’s fair to say Boyata has both teased and frustrated the Celtic support at the wrong time. Considering the club have backed him through injury concerns and bad form, you expect a bit more loyalty.
But tonight, he has to stand up and pay something back to a football club that’s given him so much.
Valencia will come at the Celtic defence and look to get in their faces. Boyata has 60,000 supporters there who he owes a top performance before he leaves.
Will he provide it? He has to, or Celtic will be in huge trouble.
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