Marc Wilmots, the Belgium manager, last night told new Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata that playing in Scotland will not be a barrier to him earning a recall to the international fold.
Wilmots had no hesitation calling Jason Denayer into his squad last term after the centre-back impressed during a loan spell at Parkhead from Manchester City. And he is adamant that he will be similarly willing to bring Boyata, who won his only Belgium cap in 2010, back into the fray if he can make an impact with Celtic, particularly in Europe, following his summer move from City.
"It was a very good idea for Dedryck to go to Celtic because he clearly wasn't going to get much game time at Manchester City," said Wilmots.
"He needs to play more matches and he will get that at Celtic.
"He's a very good player. He's tall, fast and technically a good defender. He is still only young, even though we have known about him for years.
"But the problem was that he never got a chance to show what he could do in England. Now he has an opportunity at Celtic.
"He could play in the Champions League with Celtic, which would be invaluable for him.
"I picked Jason Denayer when he was in the Scottish league with Celtic, so there is nothing to stop him getting into my squad either if he performs well.
"The Scottish game is a good test for defenders because it is very physical. It toughens players up.
"So my advice to Dedryck is to keep playing well for Celtic and we will see what happens."
Wilmots, whose Belgium side are third in the FIFA world rankings, believes Celtic have also snapped up a bargain by signing countryman Logan Bailey as a keeper.
He said: "Logan was a very good keeper in Belgian football. He's very commanding in the air and comes and collects crosses. He's strong and he will need to be there. He will be a good signing for Celtic."
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