JASON DENAYER has revealed that he’d be happy to stay on at Celtic for another season as Celtic pursue a Treble denied to them this season by an ‘Honest Mistake’ and aim to make an impact in the Champions League. Asked if he was up for this challenge the young defender, who is on a season long loan from Manchester City, said he’s happy at Celtic.
“Of course I would be happy to stay,” said Denayer. “I’ve had a very good year at Celtic so far. I would be happy to come back.
Manuel Pellegrini’s future at City is uncertain given the lack of success this season. A change of manager could result in Pellegrini’s successor resorting to the cheque book rather than looking towards the out on loan players and this may well be to Celtic’s advantage.
Denayer has had a superb season at Celtic and has even surpassed his own expectations. He recently made an impressive international debut for Belgium and looks a certainty to win the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year. Reflecting on this the 19 year old had this to say yesterday:
“It has been a great season for me and more than I expected. To come here and play every game has been a lot for me and to win a trophy has been even more. It has been the best year of my life because I’ve made my first professional start at club level but also for the national team.
“My father is very happy for me and it is important for me that he is here. He is always supporting me and we talk to each other about everything.
“He says some good stuff, but also is straight with me when I play bad. Lots of people can say to you that you have played well when you haven’t. But my dad can’t lie to me, he tells me the truth every time. He is always honest with me. He tells me when I haven’t played well, even though I might think I have.
“I am happy for my dad to be straight with me. He has followed me since I was young, he is the person who knows me the best. He knows what I can do. When I am bad in a game, he gives me a long speech. When I am good, it is quite short.
“Even after we won the League Cup final last month, he wasn’t too emotional about it. He just said, ‘Well done, now you need to focus on the next game’.
“I do think I have changed as a player, I have improved a lot since I joined Celtic. Here I have played for the first team while at Manchester City I played with the youths. I have so much more experience here.
“On a personal level there is more pressure on me now, more expectation. It has made me more mature.
“Of course I have surprised myself this season. When I joined Celtic I didn’t think I would play every game. But now my expectation is high.”
