Celtic's Dedryck Boyata to miss Partick game amid fitness dispute
Assistant manager Chris Davies suggests Dedryck Boyata could leave Celtic this month
Friday 17 August 2018 19:32, UK
Dedryck Boyata will not play for Celtic in their Betfred Cup match against Partick Thistle on Saturday, says assistant manager Chris Davies.
The defender is yet to play this season amid question marks over his future at Celtic Park.
Fulham had a bid for Boyata turned down by Celtic, leading to the player's agent, Jacques Lichtenstein, accusing the Scottish champions of breaking a promise they had made to sell the 27-year-old.
Boyata claims he is injured, but that has been refuted by manager Brendan Rodgers.
Speaking ahead of the Scottish League Cup clash with Partick, Davies said: "Dedryck has had a long chat with the manager. It is an unfortunate situation. We can't change what happened.
"There was a frustration obviously and the manager is managing the situation and Dedryck won't be involved tomorrow obviously."
While the transfer window is closed to Premier League clubs - meaning Fulham are unable to return with a new offer for Boyata - Davies refused to rule out the prospect of the Belgium international leaving Celtic this month.
"There is no point vilifying anybody or blaming one individual," he said. "The situation as it stands is open and we will see what happens.
"Obviously there has been a lot of frustration from the supporters and Brendan addressed it at the time but as it stands he is still a Celtic player and that may well be the case when the window shuts.
"So we can't say he will be leaving the club."
