Neil Lennon says he hasn’t given up hope of keeping Dedryck Boyata at Celtic despite reports that he’s agreed terms with Hertha Berlin.
The Belgian internationalist is out of contract in the summer and is believed to have thrashed out terms to pave the way for a move to the German Bundesliga.
But Lennon insisted that he has no knowledge of the former Manchester City star striking a deal elsewhere and insisted he’ll continue to try to persuade him to extend his stay at Parkhead.
He said: “I’m not aware of that (agreement with Hertha), Dedryck was at the game today.
Neil Lennon pinpoints one Celtic flaw that leaves him frustrated after Livingston draw
“I wouldn’t be surprised if there is interest in him but we are still hopeful that we can persuade him to stay, which would be great for everyone.”
Boyata has almost certainly played his last game this season due to a hamstring injury suffered in last week’s gruelling Old Firm win - meaning he may never be seen in the green and white hoops again.
Greek giants Olympiakos were credited with renewing their interest in the 28-year-old this week after trying to buy him in the summer.
But reports in Germany now claim that Berlin are leading the chase to put him at the heart of a rebuilding job of a squad currently sitting mid-table in the Bundesliga and last won the league in 1931.
Yet Lennon wants Boyata to stay and add to his 135 appearances for Celtic over four years and trophy haul of seven major honours.
Lennon’s vow came on a frustrating day for the Hoops as they failed to break down a gutsy Livingston side in a goalless home draw that eases the pressure on arch rivals Rangers today.
Had Celtic claimed all three points, a defeat for Gers at Motherwell on Sunday would have handed eight-in-a-row on a plate for the Hoops.
But now this slip up means they’ll have to wait for that title triumph with a Scottish Cup semi-final clash with Aberdeen beckoning next Sunday.
Lennon said: “It’s frustrating because we created great chances, even in the 93rd minute we had a great chance to win it.
“The performance was decent, the first half very good, the second half a little bit huffy and puffy.
“I just think we overplay it, at times we can get the ball forward a little bit quicker.
“If we’d got the goal at any stage of the game I think we’d probably have won comfortably but we just lacked a bit of punch.
“We’re not firing on all cylinders at times and that has been prevalent to me since I’ve come in. But it’s not as if we are not creating the chances, we are.
“But look, we are in a great position - 14 points clear and, yes, Rangers have a game in hand but they have to win it. If they do it will only be 11 with five games to so I think we are in a very strong position.
“We know what we have to do and we’ve got a big semi-final now outwith the league to look forward to so I think there’s a lot to be happy about.”
