HAVING played just once in the first six months of the season, Dedryck Boyata’s return to favour at Celtic in the past fortnight has taken supporters of the Parkhead club aback.

But to the members of Brendan Rodgers’ squad, who have seen first hand just how much work the Belgian centre half has put in to his bid to reclaim his first team place, his resurgence has come as little surprise.

The 26-year-old, who was sidelined with injury when Rodgers took over last summer, has revealed how he often worked by himself into the early hours of the morning at Lennoxtown to get fit again.

He is now reaping the rewards of his remarkable dedication; he scored the winning goal in the 1-0 triumph over Aberdeen at Celtic Park on Wednesday night and was named Man of the Match.

After a victory that sent the Scottish champions 25 points clear at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership, Rodgers personally took Boyata over to the Celtic fans so they could applaud his efforts.

“Maybe the reason was to show how hard I have been working, especially when I wasn’t in the side,” said the former Manchester City player. “You don’t know the work I did when I wasn’t in the team.

“I would go back to the training ground and run until midnight. I was working hard and now it is paying off. I am glad that the manager made the point of taking me to the fans. It was very, very nice.

“ “I have been out for four months, but even when I was back I wasn’t really 100 per cent fit and the team was also playing well. So to get into the team was very hard.”

Boyata, who was signed from City for £1.5 million by former manager Ronny Deila at the start of last season, has admitted that he had feared he would be unable to force his way into Rodgers’s plans.

“There were doubts as the first part of the season I only played one game and reserve matches,” he said. “I did that waiting for this moment and now it is paying off.”

Boyata has helped Celtic keep clean sheets in the four games they have played since the winter break against Albion Rovers, St Johnstone, Hearts and Aberdeen.

The defender enjoyed the goal that he scored in midweek – just as he had seven days earlier when he headed home at a set piece in the 1-0 triumph over St Johnstone at Parkhead – but his work at the back has pleased him more.

“I am happy to have scored the winning goal again,” he said. “It isn’t a habit yet, but maybe I can get used to it. It is always a tough game against Aberdeen, but I am delighted we have got the points.

“I am very pleased to have had five clean sheets this season. As I have said, we have been working very hard with the manager and that is always the case. The manager always wants us to press.

“Winning is good as is having clean sheets. Me and my partner (Jozo Simunovic) have been working hard and watching videos and everything has been good.

“The lead we have is a lot but the team has been working very hard with the manager. He has made things clear want he wants us to do.

“It shows, we are having a good season but the season isn’t finished yet. We have to keep going on until the end of the season.”

Boyata, who had seemed certain to move on during the January transfer window given his lack of game time, admitted he was pleased that Celtic had managed to fend off Chelsea and retain Craig Gordon.

“Craigy is a very good goalkeeper and that is why Chelsea came in for him. In the end, I am delighted to play with Craigy and I hope he can keep doing well for us.”