Celtic are running away with the Ladbrokes Premiership and one of the most instrumental reasons for such a stellar campaign which they are undergoing could be traced back to the resilience which their backline has provided.
While Moussa Dembele might be banging goals left right and centre for the Bhoys and leading the headlines of the major dailies, the defenders haven’t really got the limelight which they thoroughly deserve.
Nonetheless, it is relishing to underline how well they have worked as a unit and have gone from strength to strength as the season progressed. Their central defenders have particularly been very shrewd in discharging their duties and let’s not forget to mention that Brendan Rodgers has used his managerial tutelage perfectly by shuffling around his troops and deriving meticulously from what he has at his disposal.
Dedryck Boyata is one of the most invigorating figures in the Celtic Park-based outfit and does deserve a special mention. As a matter of fact, he has earned himself a call to his national side, Belgium, after impressing the head coach, Roberto Martinez.
Signed from Manchester City in the summer of 2015, Boyata didn’t have a notable start to life with the Celts, failing to make an immediate impact. What is intriguing is the fact that he missed the first half of the campaign because of an injury but has come back brilliantly to register 11 domestic games for his employers.
Rodgers boasts of having four quality central defenders in the form of Erik Sviatchenko, Jozo Simunovic, Kolo Toure and Boyata who are all well capable of plying their trade for a massive club like Celtic. Ever since his return, the 26-year-old has been a revelation and has helped Rodgers’ men in piling an unbeaten run of 35 games domestically. He has literally earned the appraisals that he has been receiving of late. And make no mistake, this call from the former Everton manager is no fluke.
Against the Rangers last weekend, Boyata looked absolutely unbeatable in the air and strong on the deck as he constantly monitored the movements of the Gers’ attackers. He always looks assured with the ball and drives the ball forward to the midfielders to be utilised by them. Quality wise, there is no denying the fact that he is one of the finest centre-backs whom Scottish football has to offer and Celtic are deriving full utility from him to make the results go in their stride.
