Mystery surrounded Dedryck Boyata’s future at Celtic last night.
Reports from Germany stated he is set to sign for Hertha Berlin this summer after agreeing terms with the Bundesliga side.
But Hoops boss Neil Lennon countered: “I’m not aware of that. Dedryck was at the game today.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if there is interest in him, but we are still hopeful that we can persuade him to stay, which would be great for everyone.”
The Belgian internationalist is out of contract at the end of the season, and he may have already played his last game for the Hoops.
Lennon admitted a hamstring injury suffered in last week’s gruelling Old Firm win will rule him out for a couple of months.
Greek giants Olympiacos were credited with renewing their interest in the 28-year-old during the week, after trying to buy him in the summer.
But Boyata has now wanted by Hertha Berlin, who currently sit mid-table in the German top flight.
They have been looking for a replacement for Swiss international defender, Fabian Lustenberger, who is returning home to Young Boys Berne.
Hertha manager, Pal Dardai, has been given the green light to reshape his squad, and has made Boyata his main target for the summer.
Boyata made 135 appearances for Celtic in all competitions over a four-year period and won seven major honours.
But he angered then manager Brendan Rodgers at the start of this season by ruling himself out of the vital Champions League qualifier away to AEK Athens.
A proposed £9-million move to Fulham had collapsed, and Boyata insisted he was not fit to play, something Rodgers denied.
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