Belgium face Netherlands in the international friendly fixture scheduled between the two nations later today and Roberto Martinez will not be able to use the services of Thomas Vermaelen for the clash.
The Barcelona defender suffered an injury and will be out of action for the next six weeks, and DH in Belgium believes Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata is the first choice candidate to replace the ex-Arsenal man in De Rode Duivels’ defence.
It’s claimed the 27-year-old’s three appearances at the 2018 World Cup make him one of the firm contenders to replace the old guard in Roberto Martinez’s side.
The Celtic centre-back, who failed to get a transfer away from the Hoops in the summer, has regained his form and has been one of the standout performers for the Scottish Premiership side.
Brendan Rodgers saw his side keep eight clean sheets in Boyata’s first nine fixtures for his club this season and, and the player has now explained what helped him to improve his form for the Bhoys this campaign.
“I’m in shape at Celtic. Eight clean sheets in the first nine games [with Celtic]. I continued my momentum from the World Cup, where I was the happiest man in the world. It was fabulous. It seems so far already. We are already at another stage,” DH quoted Boyata as saying.
