Dedryck Boyata keen on more European nights with Celtic

Dedryck Boyata is keen to turn out for Celtic in Europe again after missing their Champions League campaign this season.

The 26-year-old Belgium defender played in the unsuccessful Champions League qualifiers in 2015/16 under former boss Ronny Deila, also featuring in the subsequent Europa League campaign, but he largely fell out of the picture following the arrival of manager Brendan Rodgers.

Boyata could only watch as Celtic fought their way into the group stages of the Champions League before finishing bottom of a section including Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach.

Ahead of the visit of Motherwell on Saturday, Boyata, who played only one game in the first half of the season but has been an ever-present since the winter break, recalled the European nights earlier in the campaign and expressed his desire to get a taste next season.

"It was difficult for the team but they got some results against some great teams," he said. "Personally it was very hard as I would like to have had a part.

"For ourselves, we can only move forward. As we have been improving this season, we want to be able show the same in Europe against big teams. It will be hard of course but if we manage to show the qualities we have been showing this season here then it will be a great step up for us.

"The Champions League is a tournament every club wants to play in. For myself, I can only look forward to this. It will be a big achievement for myself and the opportunity to show what we can do against teams who have been playing at that level."

The rejuvenated Belgian has helped his side stretch their unbeaten domestic run since the start of the season to 30 games and their lead over Aberdeen at the top of the Premiership to 24 points, while also securing a place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

However, Boyata is looking no further than Motherwell, who were thrashed 7-2 by Aberdeen at Pittodrie in midweek.

"We need to take it step by step," he said. "If we start thinking too far then I don't think it will be positive," he said. "If we put in the same quality as we have in our games then we'll see what happens."

Meanwhile, Celtic's January signing Eboue Kouassi made his first appearance on Friday afternoon in a Youth Cup quarter-final tie against Hibernian.