Former Celtic centre-back Dedryck Boyata is set to go up against ex-Rangers winger Brandon Barker this week in a unique off-season fixture as both players feature in The Soccer Tournament (TST) in the United States.
The event, held annually in North Carolina, kicks off on June 4 and runs until June 9, drawing together 48 teams split into 12 groups. The top two from each group, along with the eight best-performing third-place sides, advance to the knockout stages, ensuring plenty of competitive action.
Boyata, who turned out 135 times for Celtic between 2015 and 2019, will represent ‘Socceroof’, lining up alongside a cast of former professionals including Luis Pedro Cavanda, once of Lazio, and former Bordeaux midfielder Anthony Castera. It’s a new challenge for the Belgian centre-half, who currently finds himself without a club following a spell at Club Brugge.
Across the pitch, Brandon Barker will turn out for Wrexham, entering the tournament as a guest signing for the Welsh club. Barker, who spent time with Rangers during his career, adds a dash of the Glasgow Derby to the international mix.
Boyata’s time in Glasgow saw him win multiple domestic titles and become a reliable player at the back under Brendan Rodgers. After leaving Celtic for Hertha Berlin in 2019 on a free transfer, his career has taken him through the Bundesliga and back to Belgium, though he now seeks his next move.
The seven-a-side format presents a different kind of challenge, combining fast-paced play with technical skill—something both former SPFL rivals will need in abundance to go far in this year’s TST.
