Brendan Rodgers has insisted that Celtic will not accept any bids for Dedryck Boyata until the Parkhead side have gone through their UEFA Champions League qualification campaign.

The Celtic defender is expected to resume contract negotiations when he returns to the club next Monday. The 27-year-old has risen in prominence following his exposure with Belgium at the FIFA World Cup in Russia with Lyon, Fulham and Lazio all showing interest in Boyata.

However, with injuries and suspensions this week further highlighting just how short Celtic are defensively Rodgers has no interest in allowing Boyata to go elsewhere any time soon.

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“I’m not sure at this stage there’s an offer that would make us even think about it because of the stage of the season we’re at,” said Rodgers.

“We’re playing very important games that can set us up for the season. We need our best players available for that and he is clearly one of them.

“Like I say, he’s contracted to the club for one more year. I understand where players are at and there might be an offer that comes into the club that makes the club think.

“I’m not sure, all I know I know is that I’m looking forward to seeing him back and working again. Then the season will map itself out.

“He’s obviously got a year left on his contract, Dedryck.

“He’s done well in the last 18 months for us and did well at the World Cup, so naturally there’s going to be interest in him.

“We don’t want to lose him, he’s a very valuable player for us, but at some point if he doesn’t sign his contract then of course he’ll go into his last year and then naturally what happens there is he either goes onto another club or stays.

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“That’ll be up to him in the end but at this point in time he’s very important for us to help us achieve our goals early on in the season.”

Rodgers has drawn satisfaction from the manner in which Boyata has improved under his tutelage and has paid tribute to the development made by the defender.

“It’s been brilliant,” he said. “I like to see development in players and he’s been a great role model. He’s a good guy, Dedryck, and very professional.

“He’s worked to get himself in the team and is now playing with confidence.

“Okay, like every player, he can make mistakes but you judge someone on how they are when things aren’t going so well and he’s shown great resilience in his time here. I like him a lot as a footballer and as a person.

“However long he’s here I’ll look to develop him to his very maximum.”

Moussa Dembele has joined the crocks list at the club after a scan revealed that the player has a hamstring pull.

“Moussa is probably a good couple of weeks away,” said Rodgers. “It’s a light strain from the game, which is unfortunate because he’s been very good.

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“Thankfully it wasn’t any worse as hamstrings can be a while.

“He’s come back so fit and strong. There’s a pressure playing up here and players are coming back quickly in to this level of games.

“We went to Norway with no strikers last year and we nearly had to do it this week. Odsonne Edouard had a swollen knee after the game and didn’t train until yesterday.

“Part of the challenge is to find a way. Last year Tom Rogic and James Forrest played up front. You know you are not going to be perfect at this stage of the season, but the players are adaptable.

“We will put out a team that can be really competitive.”