DEDRYCK BOYATA insists he wants to remain at Celtic where he feels he has a point to prove after a quiet first half of the season.

The Belgium international made only one appearance for the Hoops before the turn of the year amid injury problems and competition for places from the likes of Jozo Simunovic, Kolo Toure and Erik Sviatchenko.

But the 26-year-old has begun 2017 in fine form, scoring twice and helping his side to five clean sheets in their last six matches.

Read more: Callum McGregor: Celtic's playing style is demoralising for the opposition

Boyata is happy to see his hard work paying off and believes he has a point to prove at the club, underlining that he has no intention of leaving.

“I think everybody can see the team has improved a lot compared to last season,” he told celticfc.net.

“We’re playing very well and understanding the game better than last season. Of course the results can show that but it's due to our hard work as well.

“Everything's been going well so I'm enjoying it. It's like I have a point to prove too. I've been working very hard. This moment is very for important for me because I'm here, I want to stay here and keep playing.”

The Bhoys currently hold a 27-point lead at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership table, but the Belgian isn't getting ahead of himself with the team's form as they look to extend a 30-match unbeaten domestic run against Motherwell on Saturday. 

“We need to take it step by step,” he said.

Read more: Callum McGregor: Celtic's playing style is demoralising for the opposition

“If we start thinking too far then I don’t think it will be positive. If we put in the same quality as we have in our games then we'll see what happens.

“As a football player you get the information from coaches and sometimes you know what you have to do. But it's about understanding the game as well.

“When you get into difficulties in the game it’s about how you get out of it. We’re understanding the game better than at the beginning of the season.”