Dedryck Boyata won’t be fooled by the mind games from Anderlecht ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League clash.
The Belgian defender has the inside track on Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s side and knows that they will feel capable of overturning the 3-0 defeat they suffered from Celtic back in September.
After fierce lessons from Paris Saint Germain and Bayern Munich there is a very different feel to the Celtic v Anderlecht clash with both teams quietly confident of success.
Since their win in the Belgian capital Celtic have been odds on favourites to secure third place and a route into the Europa League but they still have 90 difficult minutes to negotiate.
“It is a very important match, their manager has said that they can’t expect to win in Glasgow but I know that their players won’t give up,” Boyata stated.
“They saw us win at their ground and they’ll feel that they can do the same with us. It won’t be an easy game, we’ll be ready.
“We know the expectations of our support, they expect to win every game. Now we are playing a side that we beat 3-0 but anything can happen in the Champions League.
“We’ll be ready for it, it’s important for us to reach the Europa League and make everybody happy.”
A year ago it would have seemed too far fetched to imagine Boyata playing in an important Champions League tie.
Erik Sviatchenko and Jozo Simunovic were establishing themselves as the first choice defensive pairing with Boyata making just one first team appearance in the first half of the season.
After the winter break it became a case of Boyata and A N Other in central defence with the 27-year-old hoping to continue his run in the Celtic side.
“It is very important to stay injury free in this team, when you are injured someone else can come in and show what they can do,” he added.
“Last season I was injured at the start, on the sidelines waiting for my moment, when the team won the Betfred Cup I wasn’t involved other than watching. When you play and are involved it makes a big difference.
“I never expected that 2017 would work out so well for me. In January I didn’t know what to expect during the transfer window but coming back from Dubai I played in the first match and just kept on going.
“I just wanted a chance to show what I could do and I’m glad with the way it has worked out.”
