MX23RW : Wednesday, May 15 05:29:56| >> :120:71899:71899:

Brendan Rodgers: 'Dedrick Boyata could make Celtic return'

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers insists that defender Dedryck Boyata could "absolutely" be back in the team for Thursday's Europa League playoff against Suduva.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Dedryck Boyata could "absolutely" be back in the team for Thursday's Europa League playoff against Suduva.

The Belgium defender was missing as the Hoops were eliminated from the Champions League by AEK Athens last week.

Rodgers criticised Boyata after the game in Greece, stating that the 27-year-old was fit to play despite having claimed that he was injured.

Boyata trained with the Under-20s on Saturday while Celtic beat Partick Thistle in their Scottish League Cup tie, but Rodgers has since offered his player an olive branch.

"I know he's a good guy," the Northern Irishman told BBC Sport. "I had a long chat with Dedryck the other day. We have created a wee bit of distance from what happened last week.

"Everyone makes a mistake. If there is a mistake made - I know sometimes it is not the way in the modern life - but people need a chance to redeem themselves and I would like to have him involved because he is a top-class player."

Boyata, who has made 103 appearances for Celtic, is under contract at Parkhead until 2019.

ID:333795: cacheID:333795:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2097:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Australia's Daniel Arzani during training on June 18, 2018
Read Next:
Celtic sign Arzani on loan from Man City
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic330087285987
2RangersRangers430184295584
3Hearts311149371266
4Kilmarnock31114538755
5St Mirren31024247-546
6Dundee40044867-1941
Relegation Group
1Aberdeen33004149-844
2Motherwell32015554143
3Hibernian31024858-1042
4Ross County31023564-2933
5St Johnstone30032652-2631
RLivingston32012764-3724
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!