By Wayne Veysey

6th Apr, 2019 | 9:52am

Celtic ace Boyata close to signing for Bundesliga club - Sources

Dedryck Boyata is close to agreeing terms with Hertha Berlin as he prepares to quit Celtic, Football Insider understands.

The Belgium international is out of contract at the end of the season and manager Neil Lennon has admitted he is resigned to losing the former Manchester City stopper.

A source close to the player has told Football Insider that the 10th placed Bundesliga club have offered a long-term contract to Boyata and he has indicated he is ready to accept it.

It is likely that Boyata has now played his last game for Celtic, with Lennon admitting this week that a hamstring injury suffered in last week’s gruelling Old Firm win will rule him out for around two months.

The 28-year-old came close to quitting Celtic last summer but the Scottish giants held firm and took the risk of him entering the final year of his deal and leaving on a free.

Hertha are now set to be the beneficiaries of the 16-times international’s contract situation by finalising a deal well ahead of the summer window opening.

Boyata has made 135 appearances for Celtic in all competitions since signing from City in the summer of 2015 and he has established himself as the team’s first choice centre-back over the last two seasons.

In other Celtic news, the Scottish champions are in pole position to sign a Rangers first team player.