CELTIC’S DENAYER DISAPPOINTMENT

The Belgian international central defender formed a formidable partnership with Virgil van Dijk as he helped the Hoops to a Premiership and League Cup double during Ronny Deila’s first campaign in charge.

He was widely tipped to break into City’s first team this term, but that became unlikely after the big money arrival of fellow centre-back Nicholas Otamendi from Valencia.

Denayer made his first competitive start for Belgium while at Parkhead and team-mate Vincent Kompany has tipped his compatriot for the very top.

In recent weeks, Celtic manager Deila refused to rule out the possibility of Denayer returning to the club for another season. Indeed as CQN revealed recently Celtic were working very hard to secure Denayer’s services for another season. It is believed that the player himself was interested in a return to Celtic but City’s desire to see him continue his development in a ‘bigger league” may have counted against a return to Celtic.

It was always the case that Celtic’s participation in the Champions League group stages would be a crucial factor in any decision reached by Manchester City and the player’s management team.

Denayer was also linked to a move to France to join Lyon for a season.

The player was an instant hit with the Celtic support, made 29 appearances in the league, scoring five goals.

Now, though, it looks as though his immediate future lies in Turkey unless there is another twist to this story.