Brendan Rodgers will continue to work with Dedryck Boyata- even if he doesn’t sign a new contract.
Tomorrow the defender starts the final year of his Celtic contract alongside team-mates in the Belgium squad who are among the highest earners in the game.
Kevin Be Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany and Thibaut Courtois all pick up over £200,000 per week with Spurs midfielder Moussa Dembele likely to top that if he moves on to China.
Rodgers has rescued and revived Boyata’s career with the Celtic boss standing by the defender when others questioned his ability.
A player in the final year of his contract can be a liability but the Celtic boss wouldn’t be concerned about pitching Boyata into the Champions League qualifying campaign.
“I work with the players, it’s not always the player, it’s always the player and the club,” Rodgers explained to The Sun.
“Of course, players naturally will have a think. Tom Rogic signed his contract, Dedryck didn’t but it didn’t change the relationship.
“If he’s training and working with Celtic, I want him to be the best he can for Celtic.
“Hopefully he’ll get something organised with the club because he’d be a brilliant player to re-sign.”
Looking at Boyata’s World Cup form Rodgers added: “People have been crying about the need for a centre-half, but we had a boy playing for Belgium against England who was top class.
“He was quick, strong, powerful, aggressive, confident and can play.
“He’s played three 90 minutes out there and won all three games. That shows how good he is.
“He has everything needed to be a top-class centre-half.
“Whatever the thoughts were on Dedryck before the World Cup, he’s added real value. People will sit up and take notice of his performances.
“When he’s concentrated, he’s a top-class centre-half and he’s at a good age. We would love to keep him.”
Boyata’s next World Cup action is on Monday when Belgium take on Japan for a place in the last eight.
