CELTIC’S on-loan defender Jason Denayer celebrated a winning international debut for Belgium.
The 19-year-old centre-half came on as a substitute with 25 minutes to go in the 1-0 victory over Israel in Jerusalem in the Euro 2016 qualifier.
Denayer, who looks to be heading back to Manchester City when his temporary contract expires in the summer, replaced striker Christian Benteke after captain Vincent Kompany had been red-carded.
The Belgians were leading with an 18th-minute effort from Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini and the classy back-four operator helped them hang onto their slender advantage.
Marc Wilmots’ team are joint top of Group B on 11 points alongside Wales as they battle for a place in France next tear.
However, it was a frustrating evening for Denayer’s Hoops team-mate Nir Bitton who played the entire 90 minutes, but couldn’t inspire his team to at least a draw. Bitton was impressive throughout the match, continuing his excellent form for Celtic. Ronny Deila will surely be keen to look at extending and improving Nir’s contract.
Israel are now third on nine points after five games.
Both players will join up with the rest of their Parkhead team-mates tomorrow morning at Lennoxtown as the SPFL champions step up preparations for their league encounter away to St Mirren on Friday evening. The rest of the squad trained this morning as Celtic prepare for their Good Friday visit to Paisley to face bottom of the table St Mirren.
Meanwhile Celtic continue to be linked to Hearts captain Danny Wilson with the Daily Mail today suggesting that a fee of £400,000 would be enough to capture the signature of the ex Liverpool defender who supported the Hoops as a boy.
