Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon has insisted that the Parkhead side are behind Dedryck Boyata after the defender scored the only goal of the game against Hamilton Accies yesterday.

Boyata emerged from the tunnel to a banner in the Green Brigade section of the stadium which read ‘Boyata – not fit to wear the jersey’ before silencing his critics with his 63rd minute goal.

And while the support appeared divided in whether to back the player or not with a small amount jeering him while others applauded his first touch, Gordon has insisted that his desire to run the length of the pitch to celebrate with the defender was a sign of the togetherness within the squad.

“Whatever happens off the pitch we are 100% together on it,” he told Celtic TV. “I just wanted to show that we are absolutely together and fighting for each other and that was just a little show of that.

“I am sure he will be delighted with his goal but more important his defensive work was outstanding today.”

Boyata missed games against Hearts, AEK Athens, Partick Thistle and FC Suduva after Celtic knocked back a £9m bid for him from Fulham. The player’s claims of injury were rebuffed by manager Brendan Rodgers who publicly said Boyata was fit but had chosen not to play.

A clear the air meeting was held last week with Boyataa at Lennoxtown with captain Scott Brown and Rodgers. However, he then declared himself mentally unwell ahead of the 1-1 draw against Suduva on Thursday evening.

For Gordon, though, the focus is on what happens on the pitch.

“We have been struggling for clean sheets of late which is unlike us,” he said of Celtic’s first clean sheet in seven games. “To get back to that and looking solid was what we wanted. After the first 20 seconds we didn’t look in any danger.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers has insisted that Boyata’s requirement now is to do his talking on the pitch regardless of what unfolds before the closure of the transfer window on Friday.

“It’s not always about ability, it’s about commitment when they pull on the shirt,” said Rodgers. “I always knew if Dedryck put on the shirt he’d be first-class. The reaction of three quarters of the stadium plus his teammates, I think you saw we’re all together.

“Like I say you do your talking on your pitch.

“It’s an emotional game, football. It wouldn’t have been easy for him and it certainly wouldn’t have helped us.

“But the supporters live for the club and they made their feelings know. Then we just had to show we were together a team.

“If we’re together as team then what we’ve shown in the last couple of years we’re very much together with the supporters.

“I think he did all his talking on the pitch. I thought he was top class. It’s pretty clear. He’s been pivotal to a lot of our really good performances since he came into the team 18-odd months ago.

“He’s a £10 or £15 million rated World Cup centre-half playing for us. That makes a difference to a squad like ourselves. You see him in there, he calms everything down. The quality of his defending, he defends very well. He’s quick on the turn and he serves the ball nice and quickly.

“It was a really good performance by him and that gives the stability to the rest of the team.”

However, Rodgers has confirmed that he is still keen on adding another defender this week. A second bid is anticipated for Scott McKenna this week while the club have also been linked with France Under-20 defender Harold Moukoudi.