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Defiant Dedryck Boyata insists Scottish football's snipers have got it all wrong because Celtic helped make him a Belgium star.

The defender quit the Premiership champions at the end of last season for a new challenge in the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin after four years and eight trophies.

And he revealed that he quickly shoots down anyone who talks down the standard of the game in Scotland and Celtic.

Boyata said: "In terms of my international career, the important thing for me is to play games, whether I was at Celtic or Hertha Berlin.

"It is the manager who decides on the selection of a player and that's based on the player and not the league he is in.

"People always say to me that it must be far better for me to play in the Bundesliga and not in the Scottish Premiership.

"I agree it is perhaps more difficult, but no one should forget Roberto Martinez picked me for Belgium when I was playing for Celtic.

"So I hate it when people denigrate the league in Scotland.

"Germany is obviously a more competitive league and I have come to a team who are fighting against relegation.

"When I was leaving Celtic and the offers came in, I spoke to Roberto Martinez. I had a lot of offers from clubs in China, but that was never in my thoughts.

"His advice was priceless and he was very happy to see me sign for Hertha.

"Since I came to Hertha, I think I am more vocal than at Celtic. Sometimes I shout so much, I can't speak so well for a few days after.

"I now have a bit of a reputation here because of my shouting....they think I should be in an army. They call me the General here!"