Boyata buoyed by late Celtic winner

It was not one of the big European nights at Celtic Park in terms of atmosphere but the home supporters tried their best to increase the tempo amid a flat start to the match. The keeper remembers their opinion of him being altogether different 12 months ago.

Stokes signed a new three-year contract in 2013 which runs until next summer but is due to stand trial on charges of assaulting an Elvis impersonator in a nightclub.

“I learned a lot last year and I am still learning”.

Celtic’s start to the second half revealed more zest if not more potency.

Ross County come into this game after a middling pre season but manager Jim Mc Intyre is happy with how things are going with his side and he was happy to get through pre season without any significant injuries. The goalkeeper’s “crime” was that, faced with a similar scenario months earlier at Ibrox, he remained in his own goalmouth.

Inverness, third last season, are home to Motherwell on Saturday.

“We have watched lots of videos of their recent games, in the Champions League and last season they played in the group stages of the Europa League against Inter Milan and St Etienne”. “It was a nice welcome to the club but the same guy then asked for my strip at the end of the season so I must have turned him round a little bit”.

“I believe in my players”.

“It was all motivation for me”. Even when the game goes against you and you hear the fans singing, it drives you forward.

“Hearts will be looking to do well in their first season up but there could be a couple more that surprise.” In the case of Celtic ‘s Dedryck Boyata, it was so exciting, he temporarily forgot that other human beings existed. It was not just wages.

“That’s part of the motivation for getting out there every week and trying to improve and play at the highest level I possibly can”.

“A clean sheet and a couple of goals would be a flawless scenario”.

“Are we favourites? It’s hard to say, anything can happen in football”.

The 24-year-old Belgian worldwide headed a late victor in Celtic’s Champions League first leg qualifier against Azerbaijan side Qarabag at Celtic Park last night.

“It is a step up obviously from our last opponents, a massive step up and we will have to play well to win the tie but we are capable of playing well”.