If it weren’t for Efe Ambrose, one could argue that center back Dedryck Boyata was the most vilified man on the Celtic squad heading in to this season. Fast forward six months and Boyata has gone from castaway to surprising hero for the Hoops.
Most assumed he was one of the players likely to be gone during the January transfer window, but internally it appears the plan was much different for a player that was struggling to see playing time.
Credit Boyata for realizing he needed to fight for his place and doing something about it. Rather than folding, he apparently worked harder to impress Rodgers and Co. and when opportunity presented itself he took full advantage of it.
One can also credit manager Brendan Rodgers for showing faith in a player that most in the general Celtic support had written off. It was something that Chris Davies noted following one of the craziest rises to importance in recent Hoops history.
"“It’s really good,” Davies said. “He had been out the team completely for a long period but there have been numerous examples in Brendan’s managerial career where players have done exactly what Dedryck has done – stay professional, work hard, retain that inner belief if you are not playing, and take on the advice that the manager is delivering to them in terms of what the manager wants from his players in each position. That’s exactly what Dedryck has done.”"
It’s that style of Rodgers motivation and trust in his players that makes Celtic an attractive place to call home for players. A few bad matches or mistakes will be punished, but it won’t be the end of the line.
That was certainly the case in previous stops at Swansea and Liverpool in the English Premier League, according to Davies.
“There have been examples previously at Swansea and Liverpool, where the manager will demand a level but the door will never be shut. If a player can take on what he has been told and perform to a level then they will always get another chance and that’s a great example to the whole squad.”
Rather, it appears Rodgers works well behind the scenes and with those who need to be built up rather than torn down.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen that on this squad either. There’s the increase in form of captain Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong becoming an important piece to the offensive puzzle and Emilio Izaguirre becoming more of his old self when needed as well.
All of that adds up to a manager who knows himself well and most importantly understands the psychology needed to get the most out of his players.
It certainly has shown on the pitch, as everyone in the squad has found a way to contribute to a record-breaking domestic unbeaten streak.
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It’s also that kind of internal motivation and team-first mentality that is likely to see the Bhoys wrapping up a Scottish Premiership title sooner than later.