Celtic's Dedryck Boyata wants Belgium place once and for all

Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata wants back in the Belgium squad and he is eyeing a big performance in Thursday's Europa League clash with Fenerbahce to help achieve his goal.

The 24-year-old, who signed for Celtic for £1.5m from Manchester City in the summer, has only one full cap for his country, won back in October 2010.

Boyata was included in Marc Wilmot's squad for the European Qualifying victories over Bosnia and Cyprus earlier this month but did not make it onto the pitch, and Belgium are set to decide their Group B fate with crucial games against Andorra and Israel next week.

Boyata said: "Thursday is a really big game with Celtic and one I want to play well in so I can make a statement.

"Belgium have got the next game in Andorra and if we win, I think we can go through. Then we can look to the last game against Israel to get the first spot.

"My performances in our European matches at Celtic will be really important to me making the international team because the Belgian squad is full of potential players and I don't think it is easy to get into the team.

Coming to Celtic was about getting a lot of games. I've maybe played more here already than I have in the last three years.

"In my position, if I have the chance to get in then I want to be able to say to myself that I did everything I could."

Boyata joined City from FC Brussels as a trainee in 2009 but made just nine Premier League starts in six years at the club, spending time on loan at Bolton and FC Twente.

He is behind the likes of City's Vincent Kompany, Tottenham pair Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, and Barcelona's Thomas Vermaelen for a place at centre-back for Belgium.

But he hopes more games at club level can edge him ahead of his competitors.

"For me, coming here was about getting a lot of games. I've maybe played more here already than I have in the last three years," Boyata said.

"Now I've got a chance to be in the Belgian squad, which is a plus for me. Now that I'm in the Belgian team my goal will be to stay there. To do that I will need to play well."

Boyata was speaking at an event at Celtic's Lennoxtown training complex to unveil a cheque for £60,000 collected by Celtic fans worldwide to assist those affected by the current refugee crisis in Europe.

The Celtic FC Foundation has donated the money to the British Red Cross and refugees resident in Glasgow.

Celtic face Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday and one euro from the sale of each ticket will also go to helping those affected by the crisis.