Dedryck Boyata was burning the midnight oil and training after hours at Lennoxtown to get back in the team
ONE of the most striking changes which Celtic fans will have noticed in their team since Brendan Rodgers took over as manager is the work-rate of the players.
The high pressing game which the Hoops deploy to such great effect places huge physical demands on the players and requires a vehement desire to want to pull on the green and white jersey, one which is epitomised by Dedryck Boyata who has now returned to the first-team following an injury lay-off.
The Belgian defender has been out since sustaining an injury at the beginning of pre-season, however last week he started in the 4-0 win over Dundee in the League Cup quarter-final. Then, three days later he was again in the starting XI and put in an impressive performance when Celtic convincingly defeated Rangers 2-0 at Ibrox in the Premiership.
“It always feels good to be back on the pitch when you’ve been out for quite a while,” Boyata told the Celtic View in an exclusive interview. “Of course I still feel like I need to get my fitness back but it felt very good.
“I felt comfortable in the first game back against Dundee, it felt like I hadn’t been out because the players around me are so organised and we are always talking to each other. I was happy to be there and to be able to enjoy the game and celebrate a win with my team-mates was an amazing moment.
“I’ve been out for two-and-half months now and I think basically coming back you always have these scary thoughts of getting injured again and trying to avoid certain things. But to be back on that pitch you need to be 100 per cent sure you can help the team and in my head I had no hesitation or doubts that I was ready.”
Denne historien er fra Vol 53 Issue 12-utgaven av Celtic View.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Vol 53 Issue 12-utgaven av Celtic View.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED...
Jodie Bartle was delighted to score her first goal for Celtic, a week after her derby strike was controversially disallowed
TOMMY BHOY
Celtic legend was a supporter first, last and always
WOUNDED PRIDE
Christopher Jullien was a frustrated spectator as he recovered from injury, but now that he’s back, he’s determined to play his part along with his team-mates to get back to winning ways
ON THIS DAY
HISTORY OF PLAYERS
KEEP THE FAITH
Manager knows hard work can and will deliver an upturn in fortunes for his Celtic side
THE LAST WORD
NEXT week the Christmas edition of the Celtic View will be out, which means this will be the last column I write in 2020.
FOUNDATION CHRISTMAS APPEAL SPOTLIGHT: THE INVISIBLES
WE continue our spotlight series on the organisations we hope to support through this year’s Celtic FC Foundation Christmas Appeal, with a closer look at the work of The Invisibles, a Glasgow-based voluntary organisation, which aims to provide comfort to those living on the city’s streets.
LIVING THE DREAM
Danny Crainie was proud to wear the Hoops and he continues to back the team as a supporter
EVERYONE IS HURTING AT THE RUN WE'RE ON
IT was a disconsolate home dressing room at Celtic on Sunday, as the team reflected on their first domestic cup defeat in over four years.
9 from NINE
The View wants YOUR views on the Hoops’ remarkable decade of dominance
