I had infamous Celtic blowout with Brendan Rodgers but Hoops boss has just told me I'm welcome back any time
Dedryck Boyata and Rodgers were once at odds but it's all water under the bridge now
Dedryck Boyata has opened up on the 'blowout' he had with Brendan Rodgers in 2018 – but says the Hoops boss recently told him he's welcome back at Parkhead any time.
The big defender rocket launched his career under Rodgers during his first spell at Celtic but had an infamous fallout with him after returning from the 2018 World Cup.
There was interest in his signature after impressing for Belgium with Fulham reportedly offering £9m. But Celtic rejected it and the resulting fallout led to Boyata being bombed out of the first-team squad.
It all got a bit messy. On the day he eventually returned to the starting XI against Hamilton Accies, the Green Brigade unveiled a banner reading 'Boyata – Not Fit To Wear The Jersey.' But he headed in the winner that day to seal a 1-0 win, setting them on their way to yet another league title.
Speaking on the fallout with Rodgers, the 34-year-old told the Celtic Way: "There was interest in me when I came back from the World Cup, especially from England, and Celtic still had Champions League qualifiers to negotiate.
"The question was how Celtic were going to deal with me; should I stay or should I leave? The first AEK Athens game was just before the English transfer deadline, and were we taking a risk with me? I had a blowout with the coach over that. I had a hamstring strain, and Celtic felt that I could have done more and participated in the away game.
"The Champions League qualifiers are important to a club like Celtic, and I think they believed that they could have advanced over AEK Athens in the two legs. The transfer window closed, and Fulham had reportedly offered £9million to sign me. With all the people you have around you and advising you, you just always try to make the right decision.
"It was just sad that all these things went on, as it was all so unnecessary. It did affect me at the time, I cannot lie about that. There was a lot of speculation, and negative things were said about me. It was difficult to concentrate on football.
"It is not nice to be in these kinds of situations. I love Celtic and the time I spent there, but this was an episode that was very sad during my time in Glasgow. I came back from injury and played more games that season, so that showed everybody the kind of character that I had."
But it's all water under the bridge now. Revealing he recently spoke to Rodgers, Boyata said: "Brendan is a highly successful manager. It's incredible he stands on the brink of another 'Treble'. Celtic had a great run in the Champions League, I was looking out for their results in Europe.
"It pleases me to see him do so well. It is nice for the younger players to work with such an experienced coach and to cope with the atmosphere of playing for a club like Celtic. Brendan will always help you.
"I spoke to him recently and told him that I needed to speak to him and see how he works again. He was the manager who inspired me as a player with his ideas and the work that he put into me.
"I am eternally grateful for that. You know, with Brendan, the door is always open, and he said I would be welcome back any time."
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