OPINION
Despite the way his Celtic career has come to an end there can be little doubting that Dedryck Boyata played a big role in the club’s recent success.
After downing tools to try and force a move last summer, the Belgian enforcer was reinstated by manager Brendan Rodgers and helped his side to yet another domestic treble, playing 32 games across all competitions.
However, it appears as though silverware is not all the 28-year-old was after, allowing his contract at Parkhead to run down and leave him a free agent, with a move to German outfit Hertha Berlin confirmed via their official Twitter account in May.
Hertha have their first signing for next season! ??
Belgium international, Dedryck #Boyata, will play for us in the 2019/20 campaign! ??#hahohe pic.twitter.com/N1QZpSkcnv
— Hertha BSC (EN) (@HerthaBSC_EN) May 19, 2019
He will leave some big boots to fill but it is by no means an impossible task and it appears as though Neil Lennon has already got the ball rolling on finding his replacement.
The Daily Mail claim on their website that the Hoops have made early contact with Everton defender Phil Jagielka, the Premier League veteran and 40-cap England international set to depart Goodison Park on a free transfer.
At 36 he might be in the twilight of his career but there is no doubting Jagielka has the quality to make an impact north of the border and his experience and talent can ensure the Hoops’ back line remains resolute in the hunt for more glory.
It is not like he has lost his ability through age either – in the three games where he completed 90 minutes in the Premier League during the 2018/19 season, he averaged a score of 7.23 with data collectors and analysts WhoScored.
What he lacks in speed and agility he makes up for in expert reading of the game and footballing intelligence – something which very few would have said about Boyata, who at times was like a bull in a china shop.
To have a player with over 350 Premier League appearances, not to mention that many England caps, to his name would be a coup for the Bhoys and while he is by no means a long term solution, the supporters at Parkhead could forget about their former star in the shape of Boyata before long.