By Calum Crowe For Scottish Daily Mail
Published: 00:31 BST, 7 April 2019 | Updated: 00:31 BST, 7 April 2019
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Celtic manager Neil Lennon has played down reports that Dedryck Boyata has agreed to join Hertha Berlin in the summer.
It was suggested on Saturday in the German media that the Bundesliga club are confident of agreeing terms with Boyata on a pre-contract.
The Belgian centre-back is set to become a free agent at the end of the season and it had seemed previously that Lennon was resigned to losing him.
Dedryck Boyata has not agreed a deal with Hertha Berlin yet, according to Neil Lennon
After Boyata limped out of last weekend's Old Firm match, the Parkhead boss admitted that the 28-year-old may have played his last game for Celtic.
That stance appeared to have changed, though, with Lennon revealing that the club have not yet given up hope of extending the player's stay beyond the summer.
Speaking after his side's goalless home draw with Livingston, Lennon said: 'I'm not aware of that (a deal being agreed with Hertha). Dedryck was here 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.' Saturday's stalemate with Livingston means that Celtic will not be crowned champions on Sunday, regardless of the outcome between Rangers and Motherwell at Fir Park.
Their quest for an eighth successive Premiership title will extend into the post-split fixtures, with a trip to face Hibernian at Easter Road their next league game in a fortnight.
