Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has backed Dedryck Boyata at Celtic by commenting that defender remained focused and showed his best attributes in the win over Rangers on Sunday.
Boyata made four appearances for the Red Devils during their memorable World Cup campaign in Russia during the summer and was linked with a move away from Glasgow recently.
The Belgian reportedly rejected a new contract and declared himself unavailable for the crucial away leg clash in the Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens, even after Brendan Rodgers claimed that he was fit to play the game.
The fans responded fiercely against Boyata’s antics, but the defender has taken it on the chin and helped the Bhoys keep three clean sheets in a row since then, while also scoring the winner against Hamilton during his return to the starting line-up.
Martinez showered Boyata with praise and explained that he looked at his best against Rangers on Sunday, as Celtic coasted to a 1-0 win in the Old Firm derby.
“The Rangers game showed him back to his best. The window allows a moment to look at options and once that is closed you will see a stronger Dedryck Boyata”, Martinez was quoted as saying by the Herald.
“When a player is desperate to learn and win silverware than there can be a good relationship for the future.
“You never know what will happen in football. There is such a level of unpredictability that you cannot say the future.
“Sometimes careers are fragile – you are one injury away from changing the direction of your career and that’s always part of the footballer’s mind.
“What you do get when Dedryck plays is that his full focus is on winning games for Celtic and that has been proven in the last week.
“He’s very mature in that respect. It won’t change no matter his contract situation”, he added.
Belgium will face Scotland at Hampden Park in an international friendly tonight.
