Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers: Dedryck Boyata will be involved against Suduva - if he apologises

The Belgian international, who controversially declined to make himself available for the Champions League qualifying ties against AEK Athens complaining of a back strain, was with the Parkhead side’s development squad yesterday ahead of his return to first team training tomorrow.

While the player’s return would be controversial amongst his fellow players and the club’s fans, Rodgers is determined to give the 27-year-old a chance to redeem himself and feels he would be accepted back.

Two potential suitors, Fulham and Lazio, are now out of the race after the closure of the English and Italian windows, although two weeks remain until the window closes elsewhere.

“Whatever has been said will be internal but of course before anyone will join the group that [an apology] will always have to be the case to staff and to players,” said Rodgers, after the 3-1 Betfred Cup win against Partick Thistle.

“When he joins the group that will be the case. We will sit down again Monday and I am pretty sure he will be back in with the squad again and everything is clean and we move forward. He is outstanding player and we want to have our best players available to us.

“They [the other players] will [accept him] because they are an honest group. Redemption always takes a wee bit of time - the Celtic supporters are demanding supporters but they also accept as well and I think if Dedryck puts on the shirt again then I know he will be as committed as ever and if you show that commitment then the Celtic support will always be behind you.”

Leigh Griffiths, who moved onto 99 Celtic goals in Maryhill, will welcome Boyata back but admitted the club got what they deserved in midweek. “If we can’t defend simple crosses and do what we’ve done for the past two years we don’t deserve to be there,” he said.