Rodgers hails match-winning Boyata

The 27-year-old was faced with a hostile reception from the Celtic fans after reportedly refusing to play in a Champions League qualifier, with a section of the home support unveiling a banner reading "Boyata - Not fit to wear the shirt."

However, he won the dissenters over at least temporarily as he fired home the game's only goal with 63 minutes gone at Celtic Park, leading to Rodgers hailing his performance at full-time.

“Obviously I would have preferred a different reaction but I am not going to criticise the supporters," Rodgers said.

“I will give credit to Dedryck and how he coped with it and you saw the [positive] reaction from probably three quarters of the ground.

“When you are trying to redeem yourself sometimes it takes a bit of time.

“Naturally supporters, the real passionate supporters, look for that commitment in the player, it is not always about ability. The reaction of three quarters of the stadium plus his team-mates, you see we are all together.

“It wouldn’t have been easy for him. I think he did all his talking on the pitch. I thought he was top-class, everything he had to do he did it with real quality, and of course he gets the winning goal.”

Celtic are known to be keen on adding to their squad ahead of the transfer deadline, with the Rodgers refusing to rule out a move for Le Havre centre-back Harold Moukoudi.

“I am not thinking anything other than Dedryck being here,” said Rodgers. “He cruised the game today because he is a top-class player.

"We are not a squad who can do without that quality. But with Jack Hendry and Jozo Simunovic injured, it is a position that we will look at.”