DEDRYK BOYATA has had the dubious pleasure of marking Robin van Persie in a previous life.

It did not go well for the Celtic man.

While a Manchester City player, sent on loan to Bolton Wanderers for a few months, he was given the less than simple task of facing up to the Dutchman when he was arguably at his absolute peak, which came towards the end of his time at Arsenal before he moved on to Old Trafford.

Boyata was taught a lesson by a striker whose movement, skill and ability to score goals from any position could give any defender a nightmare, never mind one still trying to find his way in the game.

There has been much talk this week regarding Van Persie and whether he will play tomorrow night when Fenerbahce ship up at Celtic Park. He has been benched far more than he's been in the starting XI since his move and the relationship between player and coach Vitor Pereira is virtually non-existent.

However, Boyata would relish the chance to test himself once more against the 32-year-old who might now be past his best, and yet the idea that he’s done is rather ridiculous

The Celtic defender said: “I remember playing against Van Persie for Bolton and it was tough. Very tough, in fact. I came on as a substitute at centre back and we were 10 v 11 at the Emirates, which made it even harder.

“We all know Van Persie. Wherever you go, if you say his name to people, they know he is a real quality player. He can finish really easily, and if we leave him a bit of space in front of goal he will kill us.

“We have to be really tight on him. You only need to type his name into YouTube to see the amazing goals he has scored across his career.

"Have I typed his name into Youtube before? Yes, in the past, not before this game, but I’ve seen all his amazing goals for Arsenal and even before that.

“He’s just a really good and really dangerous player. Fenerbahce are a team full of quality players but he is the main guy we need to watch.

“As a defender and a football lover, I’ve seen him play and his movement is great and he can hold the ball up well. He’s technically good and he scores goals easily. He’s got a lot of positive qualities.”

And, yet, he can’t get a game for Fenerbahce. What kind of a world does that happen in?

Boyata said: “Fenerbahce are full of quality players but I didn’t know he was not getting a start. That just means the person who is playing in his place must be really good.

“Nani is the same (as Van Persie). He is a really good winger and a technically excellent player. He can score with a range of strikes from near and far out. They are all quality players, they have excellent defenders and in the midfield too. But this is a good chance for us to make a statement at Celtic Park where it is always difficult for opponents.”

We will leave the Nani praise to one side for the moment – the winger has rarely showed up in big games – and concentrate on what Celtic can do on Thursday, which is to open up a four point gap on the Turkish side.

“Exactly. That’s why there’s a good job to be done on Thursday,” said Boyata. “If we do it we will be really satisfied.”

Boyata has done okay so far. He has had his good games mixed in with some rash moments, which has meant Celtic supporters are still trying to decide what they think of a player who at 24 will play only his 67th first-team match on Thursday evening.

Ronny Deila was rightly concerned about his team’s inability to defend set-pieces and it’s something that has been sorted out over the last few games.

Boyata said: "We had a little moment where we were conceding goals but the last few games have been fine. We have been working really hard every day in training because we want to keep clean sheets.

"For the moment it’s okay but we will take it step by step and keep trying to get better."

Celtic miss Virgil van Dijk. They were always going to to, of course, and the fact his departure occurred at the same time when there were so many changes in the back division for a number of reasons did not help the team.

Boyata said: "You would always say that playing the same players gives you a kind of stability, but Jozo (Simunovic), Charlie (Mulgrew) and Efe (Ambrose) are all good players. I’ve not had any issues. It’s been fine.

“Of course, Virgil was here for two years and kind of carried the team on his shoulders with Broony and Craig Gordon.

"We have a few players who are central to the team and being part of those players is a goal for me. I enjoy the responsibility."

We shall see tomorrow if the Belgian enjoys himself is he does get second chance to keep Van Persie quiet.