ROBERTO Martinez, the Belgium manager, last night recalled how he decided to take over at Wigan Athletic after being interviewed by Celtic in 2009.

Martinez, the former Motherwell midfielder, was interviewed for the Parkhead job after Gordon Strachan stood down nine years ago.

However, the Spaniard, who was in charge at Swansea City at the time, opted to move to Wigan, where he had spent six years as a player.

“I had conversations and I was always very impressed with the need to bring silverware,” he said.

“There was also the prospect of getting to the Champions League through the qualifying rounds and it was always a club that people are attracted to because of the intensity of the fans and what it means.

“But at that time I had to go back to where I started my career in the UK and where I started my coaching career at Wigan.

“In life there has to be the right timing for moves and at that time I wasn’t prepared to go away from my beginnings in the UK.

“It was a chance to go and work again with Dave Whelan - the man who had brought me to Britain.

“The opportunity of having conversations with Celtic is something that fills you with pride.

“It is a club with great tradition and a club that demands qualification in the Champions League. You can appreciate the status of the football club.”

Meanwhile, Martinez has predicted Dedryck Boyata, the Celtic centre half who played for World Cup semi-finalists Belgium in four games at the Russia 2018 finals this summer, will maintain his high performance levels for the Scottish champions for the remainder of the season.

Boyata incurred the wrath of Celtic fans before the transfer window closed by declaring himself unfit to play in the Champions League qualifier with AEK Athens - when Brendan Rodgers said he was fit.

However, he has returned to the side and helped them keep three clean sheets in a row - including against their city rivals Rangers at Parkhead on Sunday.

"Dedryck has been through a situation that is normal in the modern game," said Martinez.

“I think we all need to understand that when a player performs as well for a club then in the window you will get other clubs interested and there will be a question of setting values.

“That will be an inconsistent period for everyone and everyone inside football understands that. Now the window is closed Dedryck can focus and all he wants is to do is perform well for Celtic. That is what he’s been doing.

“What happened is more a symptom of the modern game than something to do with Celtic and Dedryck.

Dedryck is one of those players who impresses you in the way he can take things in and develop.

“I think we can see how much Dedryck has grown working with Brendan Rodgers at Celtic - he is a very important figure in that team.

“When you have interest in an important player there is always an instability in the transfer window. Now we will see Dedryck giving everything he has in order to win trophies for Celtic.

“This week I have seen Dedryck focused and looking forward to contribute to the team and you should not underestimate how well he has progressed over the last 16-18 months.

Martinez continued: “There is no question he will give his all. He enjoys responsibility in the team and he knows his responsibility in the team and he respects Celtic immensely. He is looking forward to playing for Celtic.

“When there is a window the player and the club is allowed to asses the options. Clubs are looking to balance books or invest for the future and that can mean buying players at the right time, selling players at the right time .

“That’s normal - but now you have a Dedryck Boyata that is hungrier than ever who is in the best moments of his career.

“He played well at the World Cup, won titles with Celtic and he has always been respectful of the club and Celtic itself.

“Those issues make you stronger in the role at the club and I think the situation between the player and Brendan has been very strong in the last week and I think you have seen that in his performances on the pitch.

“The Rangers game showed him back to his best. The window allows a moment to look at options and once that is closed you will see a stronger Dedryck Boyata.

“When a player is desperate to learn and win silverware than there can be a good relationship for the future.

“You never know what will happen in football. There is such a level of unpredictability that you cannot say the future.

“Sometimes careers are fragile - you are one injury away from changing the direction of your career and that’s always part of the footballer’s mind.

“What you do get when Dedryck plays is that his full focus is on winning games for Celtic and that has been proven in the last week.

“He’s very mature in that respect. It won’t change no matter his contract situation.”

Tickets for Scotland’s friendly match against Belgium tonight and the UEFA Nations League match against Albania on Monday, 10 September are available now. Visit tickets.scottishfa.co.uk to purchase.