CELTIC are assessing Dedryk Boyata after the player complained of a back problem which stopped him training on Friday.

The Belgian was back in intense pre-season training to get him prepared for the Hearts and AEK games but those plans could go up in smoke if the coaching staff believe he needs to rest.

Boyata was subject to a large bid from Fulham earlier this week which the club rejected. The defender has still only one year left on his deal with negotiations still ongoing.

Celtic have had to rely on the young pairing of Hendry and Ajer with Boyata and Simunovic unavailable but it was thought Rodgers was ready to reintroduce Dedryk alongside Hendry or Simnuovic with Ajer being suspended as the team look to get a positive result in Athens next week.

If the back injury is fresh and Rodgers isn’t confident then it’s likely the Irishman won’t risk the player at Tynecastle in the hope he could be ready for Tuesday.