IT is one thing to be welcomed into the dressing-room.

Receiving invitations to the front room, dining room and even the bedroom is another thing altogether.

Ronny Deila's Celtic squad are certainly an open bunch and Dedryck Boyata has been making the most of their hospitality since leaving Manchester City to travel north and agree a four-year contract at the beginning of last month.

The Belgian defender is in the process of househunting at the moment as he seeks to find a more permanent base than the hotel currently being provided by the club, but, as he reveals, his colleagues have been going the extra mile to ensure his introduction to Glasgow life has been as smooth as possible.

"I don't go out a lot," he said. "I have been in the hotel mainly and I am trying to find myself a flat.

"I have also had some really kind team-mates who have invited me for dinner or to stay with them in their houses.

"The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mikael Lustig, Tom Rogic and Stefan Scepovic have all made it really easy for me, as has Nir Bitton, who came back on Tuesday.

"They are looking after me. They have said they would expect the same from others if they had just come into the club and I appreciate that."

It is not only the warmth of these off-field gestures that has left a positive impression on the 24-year-old, though. During his debut appearance in a 2-0 friendly win over the Dutch side Den Bosch on Wednesday evening, the performance of Gary Mackay-Steven provided considerable food for thought.

Mackay-Steven was outstanding. He scored after two minutes and 41 seconds and carved the opposition wide open from the right flank midway through the first half with an electrifying piece of play that paved the way for the own goal which completed the scoring.

Jordy van der Winden, the Den Bosch left-back, was roasted alive and ended up being given a yellow card for taking his frustration out on the former Dundee United player with a scything and rather nasty tackle on the touchline.

Boyata learned the importance of direct and dangerous wing play from the likes of David Silva and Samir Nasri during his time at Manchester City and sees Mackay-Steven as a crucial weapon for Celtic ahead of their endeavours to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League, which begin with the visit of Stjarnan of Iceland on July 15.

"Of course, I know how important these players can be," said Boyata.

"I am not the player who is going to take people on one against one to score the goals.

"Gary is that type. I am a defender and, if we play well, the scoreline will still be 0-0. If Gary plays well, it could be 3-0 or 4-0.

"I haven't played in a one v one against him,but he looks really sharp.

"If I see him running at me very quick. I think I will just jog back.

"Wingers like that, who are quick, can take people on and can score goals, are a real plus for the game. They are exciting to watch.

"You always need the special players that can do something that the other players can't.

"He is a really good prospect. I didn't know him before I came here, but I know all about him now."

Saidy Janko could well be the next new face at Celtic to be handed his debut against Dukla Prague at St Mirren Park this afternoon after signing a four-year deal in midweek.

Boyata has watched him play for Manchester United's reserve side and regards the 19-year-old Swiss youth internationalist as the perfect fit for a side that manager Ronny Deila is determined to build into a unit capable of launching attacks from all areas of the park.

"I didn't play against him, but I have seen him play against City in the reserves," said Boyata. "He is a very good player, a forward-thinking player.

"He is a full-back, but he likes to get forward and to attack and put a lot of crosses in.

"It is a really good club who look to develop players. For Celtic, their first goal is to make the player better and that is why we are here.

"I like the way we play and I think it really suits me."