Boyata to undergo scan ahead of Champions League qualifier

Dedryck Boyata suffered a knee injury after a challenge from Slavia Prague’s Josef Husbauer in Celtic’s most recent pre-season friendly.

The 26-year-old had an agonising look on his face after the crunching tackle, and hobbled out of the stadium on crutches after the 0-0 draw in Prague.

Brendan Rodgers stated that the defender may have to undergo a scan to assess the severity of the injury. This would determine the likelihood of him lining up against Linfield in the Hoops’ second round Champions League qualifier.

Speaking to the media after the game, Rodgers said:

We’re unsure how bad it is, we just need to see. He obviously has pain in the knee. It was a block tackle. That can sometimes open up the ligament in the knee. Obviously when he put the weight on it he was in a bit of pain. We will see how it looks.

He had such a good season last season and then he started really well this season in terms of getting his fitness up. He is a boy who has been plagued with injuries. When I came in last year he was injured.

So the last thing he will want is to be injured for another part of the season with us. It is an important season for us and it is an important season for him with the World Cup coming up. He will want to be in the best possible form he can be in. We will see how it is when we get back.

The Irishman went on to give his thoughts about the possibility of a scan ahead of Celtic Champions League qualifying opener in Belfast on Friday July 15.

He added:

It depends on the pain that he is in. But looking at in from experience it tells me that he probably will have a scan, just precautionary, so we can see what is up.

There wasn’t a massive impact. It was two players coming together from a short distance away. Hopefully, it will be nothing too serious.

The club will air on the side of caution and send the Belgian international for a scan on his injured knee, and the Hoops faithful will be keeping their fingers crossed for a positive outcome.

Boyata has proven himself to be the Hoops first choice centre-back alongside Jozo Simunovic, and to lose him to injury ahead of Champions qualifiers would be a significant blow after an impressive end to the season.

With the depth Celtic have  currently, and Erik Sviatchenko patiently waiting in the wings, there will not be a great deal of concern should the injury present any problems.

Celtic will return to Glasgow today and begin preparations for their first competitive game of the season against Linfield in their Champions League qualifier.