support

Sun 7 January 2018 13:28, UK

Dedryck Boyata is pleased that Celtic have signed Mavin Compper – but has warned his fellow centre-back that he intends to play every game for the rest of the season.
Boyata wants to make the Belgium World Cup squad and the man who recently formed a partnership at the heart of the Hoops defence with Kristoffer Ajer has no intention of losing his place in the side any time soon.
“I am looking forward to working with Marvin Compper” he said, as quoted by the Sunday Post.
“But I want to stay in the team because I have the World Cup coming up in the summer with Belgium. This could be a very big six months for me.
“I want to be on the pitch and there’s only one guy you need to convince – the manager.
“For that, you need to work hard every day. In terms of bringing in new players, it’s the same at every club. It’s just the way it is today.”
Boyata has recovered from what looked to be the end of his career with the Hoops to become an integral part of the first-team in the last year.
After a dreadful performance in the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Rangers in 2016, Boyata’s time in Glasgow looked to be over.
However, Brendan Rodgers saw something in the 27-year-old during last season’s winter break and he has been a mainstay in the side since January 2017.
Boyata and the rest of his team-mates are currently in Dubai on Celtic’s winter break.
The team are next in action on the 20th of January, when they take on Brechin in the Scottish Cup, as they aim to complete their second domestic treble in a row.
The match could see a debut for Compper, who may well be paired alongside Boyata for most of the rest of the season.
In other Celtic news, Brendan Rodgers wants to improve the Hoops defence during the winter break