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Celtic boss Rodgers claims Fulham target Boyata fit enough for AEK Athens loss

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers believes Dedryck Boyata was fit enough to play in Tuesday night's loss to AEK Athens, which saw them knocked out of the Champions League qualifying rounds.

Boyata was a £9m target for Fulham this summer, but Celtic refused to let the Belgian defender leave. The 27-year-old's agent said this week that his client wouldn't play unless he was 100 per cent fit due to him being in the last year of his contract.

Speaking after the 3-2 aggregate loss, Rodgers said: "Yes, we were obviously missing our two best centre halves this evening unfortunately.

"My concentration really until I get back is only with the players that are here.

"But yes, Dedryck would have been fit to play."

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Freddie Taylor

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