Celtic player features in Mangala’s Dream Team

Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata has been included in former team-mate Eliaquim Mangala’s five-a-side dream team, fending off competition from fellow Belgian Vincent Kompany.

The Belgian, who has been given mixed reviews for his early-season performances in the Hoops, signed from Manchester City on a free transfer for the Scottish champions in the summer.

Boyata has been included in Mangala’s ideal five-a-side team, being selected over the Manchester City man’s defensive partner Vincent Kompany.

The decision from the 24-year-old Frenchman will come as a surprise to sections of the Celtic support, as the Parkhead faithful are yet to be 100% comfortable with the Belgian at the heart of their defence.

But Mangala, who has proven to be a stalwart for the Premier League leaders, has put his trust in Boyata as the man he would have to strengthen his five-a-side warriors. Boyata has proven himself to be a goal threat so far in his early days as a Celtic player, notching goals against Stjarnan and Qarabag in crucial Champions League qualifiers for the club.

However, two consecutive own goals against Malmo and St Johnstone respectively put the big Belgian under pressure, with fractions of the Celtic support still to be convinced with the centre-half’s signing.

Boyata’s inclusion isn’t the only surprising decision in former Porto man Mangala’s picks, with legendary Porto goalkeeper Helton, who has been at the club for over a decade, selected over the likes of Joe Hart as his goalkeeper.

The man paired alongside Boyata is another former Porto man in Alex Sandro, now playing at Juventus. The inclusion of Sandro means the Mangala picked two other central defenders ahead of Kompany – a brave decision to say the least.

David Silva, Jesus Navas or Samir Nasri in the midfield I hear you ask? Nope, the Frenchman has bizarrely selected Lucho Gonzalez, who spent two years at Porto and now plays his football at River Plate.

Finally, a sensible decision was made by Mangala as he chose Man City star Sergio Aguero as his lone striker.

Definitely not a world-beating team by any stretch of the imagination, but not sure many would fancy their chances against them nonetheless!