Dedryck Boyata insists he didn't go on strike to force a Parkhead exit last summer.
The defender, who joined Hertha Berlin on a free in May after his Celtic contract expired, was accused of downing tools amid interest from Fulham and Sevilla.
Boyata's absence was felt as Celtic crashed out of Champions League qualifying against AEK Athens in August 2018 but, ultimately, he did not secure a transfer before the deadline.
He returned against Hamilton 12 days later and a section of fans unveiled a banner branding the centre-back unfit to wear the jersey.
The 28-year-old knuckled down after talks with Brendan Rodgers and returned to form during the club's treble Treble success.
And now he's presented his side of the story, claiming there was no refusal to play on his part.
Boyata told SportBild: "It’s not true, I was accused of strikes last summer so I could move. I also played through the season, was in the Scottish team of the year and played my part in the title.
“The truth is, I’ve won everything at Celtic in four years. But it was time to start something new.
"The Bundesliga is a good challenge for me.”
Boyata 's start to life in Germany has been hampered by injury and he's yet to make his Bundesliga debut.
He was troubled by injuries during his final days at Celtic and has encountered more problems over the summer.
But Hertha boss Ante Covic this week confirmed Boyata was set to make his squad for the weekend trip to Mainz.
He said: "It’s a huge bonus for us.”
