Boyata transformation is beyond belief

840

When we signed Dedryck Boyata, while simultaneously losing loanee Jason Denayer, I heard that bullish comment from Celtic Park “We made Denayer into a regular Belgian international and we’ll do the same for Boyata.”

Teenage Jason Denayer was part of a record-breaking Celtic central defence.  Fast and skilful, there was little chance parent club Manchester City would allow him to extend his stay in Scotland.  Dedryck was older, had played less football, and City allowed him to leave for £1.5m.  The claim that we could make him into a Belgium regular seemed fanciful.

Belgium are the top team in the Fifa rankings.  Getting anywhere near this squad is an achievement, but Dedryck is now a regular fixture.  When Jason Denayer made a late entrance in the game against Iceland last night, it was captain, Vincent Kompany he replaced, not the Celtic central defender.

Dedryck has only been at Celtic three years and the early months of his time here were memorable for an own goal against Malmo and a very poor performance away to Molde.  His transformation is beyond belief.

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  1. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Just saw the great work from our Ryan for the other Ryan to score … think Celts by Numbers has highlighted Ryan’s work (so Dallas mentioned today :-)

  2. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    GUT.

     

     

    Yes. Players.

     

    I watch OZ , but particular interest when big Tam is playing.

     

     

    Three Tims playing and a fair few ex-Tims.

  3. MacJay

     

    I heard Davie Cooper coming on as a sub for Tommy Burns being booed by the Celtic supporters at Scotland match at Hampden. Think it was Wales match in old Home International Tourney.

     

    Cuts both ways.

     

    YNWA

  4. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    DELANEYS DUNKY on 17TH NOVEMBER 2018 8:46 PM

     

     

    Aye , Ok.

     

     

     

    But you cannae be taking Tommy Burns off. :-)

     

     

    Just heard the Latino commentator refer to the kilt as ” falda ‘ .

     

    A skirt.

     

    Hing oan , Jimmy.

     

    :-)

     

     

    They`re now having a long discussion about the current Rangers and Celtic.

     

    ” Estrano ” …they are saying. (Strange)

     

    HEE HEE.

  5. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    Latino commentator………….

     

     

     

    Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalaso.

  6. Never been to a Scottish game and have no time for the SFA but I always prefer Scotland to be winning, especially on evenings like tonight when we seem to have a team composed of Celts and ex-Celts. How is McGregor playing?

  7. Jobo your a braw lad..keep reporting what you see and feel in bonny East Kilbride…..it is strange to have to stand up for the Scottish team that Mr Stein gave his last breaths for….

     

     

    Smiley I believe in Mr Stein …Unlike many other Celts, I cannot claim that Celtic was my first love … but I can say that it will be my last love.” thing

     

     

    Braw

  8. It is looking like the Scots who are proud to play for their country are all playing tonight.

     

    Armstrong,Christie, McGregor and Forrest have been magic. Common denominator???? ?

     

    YNWA

  9. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    NEUSTADT-BRAW on 17TH NOVEMBER 2018 9:06 PM

     

    Jobo your a braw lad..keep reporting what you see and feel in bonny East Kilbride…..it is strange to have to stand up for the Scottish team that Mr Stein gave his last breaths for….

     

     

    ==================================================================

     

     

    Wow.

     

    What a point.

  10. What a team goal fae James first genius touch to his magic finish. Celtic are beating Albania here. ??

     

    YNWA

  11. Gerryfaethebrig on

    PCS 9.03pm

     

     

    Callum is doing a disciplined job nothing too eye catching but working his socks off…. Ryan Christie seems to get better and better, always looking to get the ball forward quickly

  12. Bobby Lennox was an unfair player. Watching Celtic as a young kid – without a full understanding of tactics- I felt we has an unfair advantage with our speedy number 11. He is an unassuming Lisbon Lion who I have been lucky to meet inadvertently on several occasions over the years.

     

     

    His medal haul is huge and includes the big one; he was the Saltcoats Bhoy who stretched the geographical safari limits of the Lions; he gave us speed, skill, humility and class.

     

     

    Three years ago I was at Seamill Hydro for a midweek break with the Mrs. We left the pool after an early morning swim and agreed to meet shortly in a lounge area prior to breakfast. In the showers I glance left and there’s my Celtic supporting hero (alongside Danny) next to me. Forty miunutes later Mrs RC chaps the changing room door and I awake from my Celtic dream. A humble gentleman who didn’t mind an idiot supporter seize a chance of a lifetime.

     

     

    Legend. Lion. Humble Mhan.

     

     

    Hail Hail Lemon.

     

    YNWA

  13. GFTB

     

    Ryan Christie is the best player on this pitch.

     

    What a player he has become. Strong , powerful and load of skill and fitba intelligence. Find of this season.

     

    Brilliant fitba player

     

    YNWA

  14. The Nations League was pretty much dismissed as a gimmick but I think it’s added something.

     

    Better than playing meaningless friendlies at this time of year.

  15. Scotland do still have to win on Tuesday. A draw’s no use as Israel would win the head to head. Win on Tuesday has 2 rewards – (1) promotion to “Division B” (so in 2 years time we’d be in with the likes of Wales, Ireland, Sweden, Turkey, etc…) and (2) an additional qualifying option for Euro 2020 (if we don’t qualify via our normal group, we’d be in a 16 team play of round chasing, I think, the 4 final places).

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