According to a report by The Times, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that soon-to-be out of contract centre-back Dedryck Boyata will remain with the club at least until the end of the season when he is likely to go, but the news won’t be good for everyone.
What has Rodgers said?
According to an interview, as reported by The Times, the Northern Irishman said:
“He’s a very, very good player. He’s entitled, he’s within his rights in the last year of his contract and he’s at an age where he can wait and see whether it’s a new contract at Celtic or a move: it’s a big next contract for him.
“He will just stay calm and see out the season and see where he’s at. There will be interest in him, of course, but [there is] nothing concrete at the moment.”
Who is it bad news for?
While the update is good news for Celtic and Rodgers in the Glasgow giants’ bid to win another Scottish Premiership title ahead of arch-rivals Rangers, it isn’t such great news for Jozo Simunovic.
Prior to the beginning of the 2018/19 campaign the 24-year-old would have been expecting to be one of the club’s first-choice centre-back options given Boyata’s future was in doubt and he was a more senior option than either Jack Hendry or Kristoffer Ajer.
However, some disappointing performances in July and August were followed by a knee injury, and coupled with his Belgium international teammate eventually staying at Celtic Park and Rodgers swooping for Filip Benkovic, his playing time has been limited this term.
A departure of Boyata this month would have boosted his chances of having the opportunity to starting five successive matches like he did throughout December in the Belgian’s absence through injury, but that appears unlikely now given this latest update and how good the 28-year-old and Benkovic have been together previously.
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